By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Jan: The weather in Uttarakhand dramatically changed late last night, with the cold spreading from the mountains to the plains. Snowfall was reported in many areas of the state including Mussoorie, Auli, Chakrata, and Nainital, wrapping the valleys in a white sheet of snow. In higher reaches of the state, the farms and the roads have been covered in snow, obstructing traffic movement in some places.
Since early this morning, snowfall has been continuous in the hills, revitalising tourist activities in the hill stations like Mussoorie, Chakrata and Nainital. Tourists are reported to be flocking to Uttarakhand’s hill stations to enjoy the snowfall, also because it was Sunday, today, and the state generally witnesses heavier tourist inflow on weekends. After the New Year snowfall, local traders are also very happy.
Heavy snowfall has been recorded in Badrinath, Hemkund, Auli, Niti Valley, Gopeshwar, Mandal, and Chopta, with tourists revelling in the snow.
The cold wave has intensified in the lower regions due to the snowfall, while the Gopeshwar-Mandal-Chopta Road has been blocked due to heavy snowfall. Fog and rain in the plains have further pushed down the mercury with the cold winds increasing the chill.
Nainital experienced its first snowfall of the year and the second snowfall of the winter season. A white sheet of snow now covers the hills of Nainital, creating a stunning view that has attracted many tourists. Snow in the mountainous areas has been beneficial for local farmers’ crops and fruits. On Sunday morning, the hills and fields of Mukteshwar, Dhanachuli, Paharpani, Ramgarh, Kasiyalekh, Managher, and Chorlekh were covered in snow.
In lower areas of the state, rainfall was witnessed today. Dehradun experienced rain late last night, continuing into the morning and intermittently throughout the day. According to the Meteorological Centre, the weather will clear in the hill districts from tomorrow onwards, but fog is expected in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts and parts of Dehradun with a yellow alert issued for fog. There is also a possibility of thunder and lightning in Nainital, Tehri, Haridwar, Pauri, and Champawat, as well as in Dehradun tomorrow.
