By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 19 Feb: The weather took a turn again in Uttarakhand today as snowfall occurred on the higher peaks, including Gangotri and Badrinath Dhams, while it rained in several lower areas including Dehradun and Mussoorie this afternoon. Snowfall was reported from Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, Gorson Bugyal, Rudranath, Lal Mati and Neeti and Mana Valley. As per the Meteorological Centre’s prediction, there are chances of moderate to medium level of snowfall in Harsil Valley and high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi, also.
At the same time, it was cloudy in Dehradun since morning and, in the afternoon, light rain occurred in the city and in Mussoorie, as a result of which the temperature also dropped.
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy snowfall in the hill districts tonight and tomorrow. An Orange alert for rain and snowfall has been issued by the Meteorological Centre. According to the forecast issued by the Centre, there will be lightning and hailstorm in areas at a height of more than 3500 metres in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts with a strong possibility of heavy snowfall.
Gangotri Dham was cloudy since morning. Light snowfall started in the afternoon. Light snowfall continued in Yamunotri Dham also. Even in the lower areas, there is a drop in temperature due to cloud cover. The Uttarkashi Administration has directed the officials concerned to ensure special vigilance and caution during snowfall from the safety point of view of tourists and local people. Along with this, instructions have been given to the electricity department, water supply department and PWD along with all the departments related to search and rescue work to provide resources in high altitude areas.
Snowfall is continuing in Badrinath since Sunday evening. Due to snowfall, 2 feet snow has accumulated at the Badrinath Dham. The Kedarnath Dham has recorded a huge drop in temperature due to snowfall, Mussoorie too recorded a drop in temperature with light rain.
This year, there was rain and snow for the first time this winter in Mussoorie in the beginning of February and for the second time on 5 February. After this, there was light rain at isolated places in the hill districts on Sunday and snowfall for the third time.
