Heavy snowfall alert issued for seven districts, cold day conditions likely in three districts
Rain and snowfall bring temperatures down across State, trend to continue today
PNS | DEHRADUN/JYOTIRMATH
The State Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert (be prepared to take action) regarding the possibility of heavy snowfall likely to occur at isolated places located at 2,500 metres altitude and above in the districts of Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Nainital on Saturday. Cold day condition is likely to occur at a few places in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts and at isolated places in the remaining districts.
Further, thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are likely to occur at isolated places in Haridwar, Dehradun, Pauri, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand. Apart from this, light to moderate rain/thunderstorm are likely to occur at most places in the State today. The provisional State capital Dehradun is forecast to witness a generally cloudy sky. Few spells of light rain are likely to occur and cold day condition is likely to be experienced with the maximum temperature likely to be about 14 degrees Celsius in Dehradun today.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rain in the plains and lower altitudes along with snowfall in the higher reaches brought the temperatures down considerably in various parts of the State on Friday. The maximum temperature dropped six degrees Celsius below normal to 14.1 degrees Celsius in Dehradun, intensifying the cold.
The State Meteorological Centre director Bikram Singh said that light to moderate rain was witnessed in most parts of the State along with snowfall in the higher reaches due to a western depression.He said that an alert has been issued regarding the possibility of heavy snowfall in some parts located at altitudes of 2,500 metres and above of some districts in the duration from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Further, light to moderate snowfall may also be witnessed in mountainous regions situated at altitudes between 2,200 metres and 2,700 metres. He said that the authorities have been advised to ensure necessary arrangements to clear the roads blocked by snowfall. Additionally, tourists and travellers have been advised to consider the weather while travelling and exercise caution as the roads may turn slippery due to snowfall.
Higher reaches in the State witnessed light to moderate snowfall on Friday. In the Chamoli district, the Badrinath Dham, Hemkund/Lokpal, Valley of Flowers, Auli, Gaurson and Niti Valley witnessed snowfall while rain was reported in the lower altitudes. Those in the tourism industry are hoping that the latest spell of snowfall will attract more tourists for New Year celebrations. Auli has witnessed its third snowfall of this season and the tourists already here could be seen enjoying the snow. Badrinath Dham was also covered in a blanket of white with snowfall starting on Friday morning.
The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded on Friday were 14.1 degrees Celsius and 8.4 degrees Celsius respectively in Dehradun, 22.4 degrees Celsius and 7.4 degrees Celsius in Pantnagar, 10.4 degrees Celsius and 3.6 degrees Celsius in Mukteshwar and 10.9 degrees Celsius and 5.2 degrees Celsius in New Tehri.
