Uttarakhand’s weather became wintry on Tuesday as various high areas of the state were generally covered with fresh rain and snow conditions, and consequently, the weather turned chill. The weather change, which was sudden, brought joy to tourists and, on the other hand, affected normal life in some areas.
The Meteorological Department gave light to moderate rainfall in Dehradun, Nainital and other districts and snowfall in the higher reaches of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Auli, Munsiyari and the upper part of Chamoli and Pithoragarh. The mercury dropped substantially, and the temperatures dropped by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in most areas.
The new snowfall has made the hilltops white, and this has formed beautiful scenery, which is now beginning to draw tourists and photographers throughout the nation. Hoteliers in Auli and Munsiyari said that they were receiving more bookings as a result of the weather change and expected to see an early turnaround in the winter tourism season.
The snowfall has, however, resulted in a slight traffic jam in hilly regions as well. Weather conditions were slippery and snowy, blocking roads between the villages at higher altitudes. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have come under alert to respond to any emergencies and this is particularly in the sensitive Himalayan areas.
The present bout of rain and snowfall could last for more than 24 to 48 hours in isolated regions predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It has also made an advisory that people who are going on to pilgrimage should always update on the weather conditions before they embark on the Char Dham journey.
The plains, such as Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, were also blessed with relief by the rain that was much needed to overcome the dry weather and pollution. The showers have also been a welcome development for farmers, which will be fruitful in rabi.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami observed the changing weather and asked the district administrations to be ready for any circumstances. He focused on the safety of travellers and also on adequate provision in snow-prone areas.
The arrival of the first snow is known to have people fearing a long winter. The scenic beauty of the snow-capped Himalayas has again rendered Uttarakhand a popular destination among lovers of winter.
The Meteorological department has also indicated that the temperatures may even be lower in the days to come when the cold winds blow through, over the northern plains, and mark the very beginning of winter in the area.
