Fresh snowfall blankets Hemkund Sahib ahead of Oct 10 closure

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Jyotirmath

Hemkund Sahib has been experiencing snowfall since Saturday morning, resulting in accumulation of half a foot of snow in and around the shrine.  The portals of the shrine will close for the winter on October 10.  Pilgrims keep streaming into it braving the snow and freezing cold.

With the roads having become slippery, police and SDRF personnel are ensuring safe movement of the pilgrims.
The members of the shrine’s managing committee said that it has been snowing in the higher elevations since Saturday morning, while rain has sharpened the cold in the lower elevations around the shrine.  The shrine has been seen covered under a thick blanket of snow.

Meanwhile, the chill has intensified in Badrinath Dham due to ongoing rain since early morning. The high peaks around the Dham are seen covered with snow.