By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 29 Oct: A significant change in weather was witnessed in Uttarakhand on the occasion of Karwa Chauth today, with fresh snowfall reported in the Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri shrines, bringing a noticeable chill to the higher reaches of the state. In addition to snowfall in higher reaches of the mountains, it has been raining through the day in Dehradun, Haridwar and several other parts of the state today. In Dehradun, rainfall accompanied by cold winds brought down temperatures, has brought winter chill across the state already.
With the withdrawal of the monsoon, snowfall has begun in the higher Himalayan regions of the state. The fresh spell of snowfall on Thursday transformed the landscape around the Char Dham shrines, attracting the attention of pilgrims who are still visiting these temples ahead of their scheduled closure for the winter season. While the higher reaches experienced snowfall, several towns and lower-altitude areas witnessed rainfall, resulting in a further drop in temperatures.
At Gangotri Dham, the weather changed abruptly this morning, with snowfall beginning at around 10 a.m. The snowfall was also reported along the Gaumukh trek and adjoining high-altitude areas, where temperatures dropped considerably. The pilgrims present at Gangotri were delighted to witness the season’s first snowfall, with many enjoying the sight of snowflakes falling around the shrine and capturing the picturesque moments on their cameras.
The snowfall over the higher peaks of Badrinath Dham also brought a considerable change in the weather. The snow-covered Nar-Narayan mountain range presented a spectacular sight in the morning, leaving pilgrims arriving from different parts of the country excited. For many visitors, the sight of the snow-clad mountain peaks became one of the most memorable experiences of their pilgrimage. While the devotees continued to offer prayers and pay obeisance to Lord Badri Vishal at the temple, the snow-covered mountains surrounding the shrine added to the natural beauty of the entire area.
Kedarnath Dham, too, witnessed fresh snowfall this morning, covering the shrine and its surroundings in a white blanket. The breathtaking spectacle delighted the pilgrims present at the shrine. While some were seen capturing the snow-covered landscape on their cameras, others took selfies to preserve memories of the unusual experience. However, the snowfall also brought a sharp increase in the cold, making conditions considerably chilly at the shrine.
The weather remained overcast in the lower areas of Rudraprayag district as well. The district headquarters, along with Ukhimath, Guptkashi, Jakholi and Basukedar, witnessed cloudy conditions and light rainfall since morning, resulting in a fall in temperatures. Despite the change in weather and the increasing cold, the flow of pilgrims to Kedarnath has continued. The portals of Kedarnath Dham are scheduled to close for the winter season on 11 November, and a large number of devotees are reaching the shrine to seek the blessings of Baba Kedar before the closure. The fresh snowfall has added to the attraction of the pilgrimage, even as pilgrims have had to contend with the increasingly cold conditions.
Apart from the Char Dham region, several other parts of Uttarakhand also witnessed cloudy weather and rainfall. Meanwhile, rainfall in the lower regions added to the prevailing chill. Rain was reported from Dehradun, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Pauri, Srinagar and Kotdwar, while clouds remained spread over several other districts. In Dehradun, rainfall since morning, accompanied by cold winds, brought down the temperature and provided relief from the relatively warm and dry conditions prevailing over the past few days.
It may be reminded here that India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a warning for today for thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds in ten districts of Uttarakhand amid partly cloudy conditions. The department had also forecast the possibility of heavy rainfall in most parts of the State on Friday, indicating a further fall in temperatures and an increase in the intensity of cold conditions.
It may be recalled that the weather across Uttarakhand had remained largely dry over the past few days. Bright sunshine in the plains had led to a rise in daytime temperatures, although minimum temperatures had remained close to normal. This had resulted in a widening gap between day and night temperatures. However, the influence of cyclonic storm Arnab and an approaching western disturbance was expected to bring a significant change in the prevailing weather pattern.
The fresh snowfall in the Himalayan shrines and rainfall in the lower regions mark the beginning of a transition towards winter conditions in Uttarakhand. With the Char Dham pilgrimage season approaching its conclusion, the changing weather is likely to make travel and movement in the higher reaches increasingly challenging. Pilgrims visiting the shrines during the remaining days of the yatra would, therefore, need to remain adequately prepared for falling temperatures, snowfall and sudden changes in weather conditions.
