Dehradun: According to the Meteorological Department, rain and snowfall are likely in the higher Himalayas on Monday, following the season’s first snowfall on Sunday. The weather department’s prediction came true as heavy snowfall was observed yesterday.
This year’s snowfall season has officially begun in Uttarakhand, with significant snowfall reported in hill towns such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Harshal, Chakrata, and Munsiyari.
Temperature is close to zero in hill towns
As the cold is intensifying from the mountains to the plains, in Mukteshwar, Nainital district, the maximum temperature has dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, with nighttime temperatures nearing zero. Residents are using bonfires to stay warm. The cold wave persists in Uttarakhand following the season’s first snowfall, affecting the region even during the day. People are resorting to bonfires to combat the chill.
Further drop in temp is expected in coming days
According to the Dehradun meteorological centre, the maximum temperature is expected to drop by three to five degrees due to the change in weather. On Monday, there is a possibility of rain in several districts, including Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Almora, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, Champawat, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar.
Season’s first snowfall blanketed all the Char Dham shrines in snow
The weather in Uttarakhand changed after 6 pm yesterday, and by nightfall, the hills were blanketed in snow. The weather department’s predictions for several days came true, marking the start of this year’s snowfall season. Heavy snowfall occurred in hill towns such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Harshal, Chakrata, and Munsiyari. The beautiful valleys of Harshil in Uttarkashi district and the dense pine forests are now blanketed with snow.
The dry start to the winter season is causing issues
According to the Meteorological Centre, the state typically sees 1.2 degrees Celsius of rainfall in the first week of December. However, this year began dry, leading to dry cold conditions that are causing problems for people, particularly increasing cases of cold and cough. Recently, there was a possibility of rain and snowfall in the higher Himalayas due to cloud cover, and heavy frost fell on Saturday night. The frost, combined with daytime winds, has intensified the cold.
