PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun/Jyotirmath/Uttarkashi
The first proper rain and snowfall of this winter season in the State has given farmers and those in the tourism business to cheer, apart from the general public suffering from the dry cold and resulting health issues. The comparatively higher reaches of Tehri district including Nagtibba, Dhanaulti, Aindi and other locations witnessed snowfall which resulted in a drop in temperature in the nearby lower areas. However, the rain and snowfall has been welcomed by farmers and horticulturists.
Farmers Sharan Singh Panwar and Gambhir Singh Rawat said that the change in the weather has come as a relief for farmers. Though the area has witnessed rain and snowfall now, the delay might cause a drop in the yield of apples and other cash crops, they said.
In the Chamoli district, farmers and those involved in the tourism industry are happy with the change in the weather. The lack of snow in the winter sports destination Auli had resulted in the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam cancelling its skiing course.
Following the fresh snowfall the locals have started coaching in skiing. Local skiing coach Ravindra Kandari said that a three-day skiing course has been started after the snowfall on Friday. Farmers too are happy with the change in the weather. Apple cultivator Sohan Singh Bejwadi said that the snowfall may prove to be an elixir for the apple crop. The change in the weather has given local cultivators hope for a better yield this season, he said.
