Rain, snowfall return to Uttarakhand

After a long spell of dry winter season, most parts of Uttarakhand including Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tehri, Chamoli, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Mukhteshwar witnessed very moderate to light rain and snowfall in higher altitudes on Sunday. The sun remained hidden behind the grey clouds.

Rain and snowfall returned to the Himalayan state leading to fall in temperatures when the people were expecting that the winter would get over. With the state witnessing another spell of chilly winds, tourists are hoping for season’s first snowfall in Mussoorie and Nainital. However, higher altitudes areas in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh regions received moderate snowfall on Sunday.   

The state capital received maiden winter rain (5 mm) on Sunday, while higher altitude regions above 3, 500 meters like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Auli, Chakrata were covered with fresh snowfall. Kedarnath was the most affected area where temperature nose-dived to -5 degree Celsius as there was continuous snowfall since early Sunday morning. 

“We already predicted rain in plains and snow at high altitude areas yesterday. The sudden change in weather is due to western disturbance. This month rain is good for crops and seasonal flowers,” Bikram Singh, director of state meteorological centre, said.

One kiosk-owner selling tea at Bhatta Fall (Dehradun-Mussoorie road) said, “This time there has been no snow in Mussoorie hills in the peak months December and January. After the winter line carnival, all tourists retreated. Only love-birds or alcoholics from plains come here for privacy. Now, this winter rain has revived some hope of nature’s white sheet to cover the mountains and call the tourists back.”

Meanwhile, a few areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received light snowfall even as there was improvement in night temperature across the Valley and Ladakh region.