By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Mar: According to the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre Dehradun of IMD, the weather in Uttarakhand is likely to change again from 8 March after a dry spell. The state is expected to witness dry weather today and tomorrow before the likely rains. However, from 8 to 11 March, rain and snowfall have been forecast in several districts of the state by the state weather centre.
The Meteorological Department has also issued an alert. According to the Meteorological Centre, on 8 March, there is a strong possibility of isolated very light to light rainfall in three districts of Uttarakhand, namely Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh. Thunder accompanied by lightning may also occur. Snowfall is expected at places located at an altitude of 4,000 metres and above. The weather is likely to remain dry in the remaining ten districts of the state.
The forecast states that from 8 to 11 March, several districts may experience rainfall and snowfall. On 9 March, two more districts are likely to experience rain and snowfall. On that day, in addition to Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh, isolated very light to light rainfall is likely in Rudraprayag and Bageshwar districts as well. Snowfall is also expected in areas situated at an altitude of 3,800 metres and above across the state on 9 March.
The same pattern of rain and snowfall is expected to continue on Tuesday, 10 March. On that day, alerts have been issued for rainfall and snowfall in the districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh. Snowfall will occur in areas located at altitudes of 3,800 metres and above. Weather conditions on 11 March are also expected to remain similar to those on 10 March.
Meanwhile, temperatures have begun to rise in the state. The Meteorological Department stated that during the past 24 hours, the maximum temperature in the plains of Uttarakhand ranged from above normal to significantly above normal, while in the hill regions it remained considerably above normal to extremely above normal. It has also been indicated that during the next two to three days the maximum temperature at several places in Uttarakhand may gradually increase by about 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.
Uttarakhand’s famous Char Dham Yatra is scheduled to begin next month. At present, severe cold conditions prevail at all four shrines. At Gangotri Dham in Uttarkashi district, both the maximum and minimum temperatures are currently below freezing, recorded at around -1 Deg C and -10 Deg C respectively.
The minimum temperature at all the shrines remains below zero. At Yamunotri Dham, also in Uttarkashi district, the maximum temperature is about 6 Deg C while the minimum temperature is around -3 Deg C. At Kedarnath Dham, the maximum temperature is just one degree above the freezing point. Here, the maximum temperature is around 1 Deg C while the minimum temperature has dropped to about -8 Deg C. The Mandakini River flows adjacent to Kedarnath and carries the chill of melting snow from the mountains.
The situation at Badrinath Dham is quite similar to that at Kedarnath. The maximum temperature there is about 1 Deg C while the minimum temperature is around -7 Deg C. Badrinath Dham is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River, which carries the cold waters originating from the Satopanth Glacier. At the same time, temperatures in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar and parts of Nainital district, temperatures are currently recorded at higher than normal.
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is scheduled from 19 April and will continue for a period of six months.
