PNS | DEHRADUN/JYOTIRMATH/UTTARKASHI
The weather took a turn early on Thursday morning with rain in the plains and snowfall in the higher altitude mountainous areas. The temperatures dropped by a few notches in most parts of the State when people were getting used to comparatively warmer temperatures. Similar weather is expected on Friday with the State Meteorological Centre forecasting thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and hail likely to occur in Dehradun, Tehri,
Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts. The provisional State capital Dehradun is forecast to witness a partly to generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain/thunderstorm accompanied with hail/lightning likely to occur. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be about 23 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius respectively in Dehradun today.
Meanwhile, snowfall in the higher reaches in Garhwal and Kumaon regions brought a twist to the weather at a time when the spring season is supposedly on even as burans flowers have started blooming in February instead of the usual time in April due to warmer temperatures at this time. High altitude areas in Chamoli district including the snow sports destination Auli witnessed snowfall on Thursday, bringing much cheer to visitors and those involved in businesses related to tourism. Badrinath, the Valley of Flowers, Hemkund, Niti valley and other high altitude regions in the district also witnessed snowfall.
The lower altitude mountainous regions in the district witnessed rain. Snowfall and rain was also reported in Uttarkashi district where snowfall started late on Wednesday night in the higher reaches. Gangotri,the winter abode of goddess Ganga- Mukhba, Harshi, Dharali and other areas in the higher reaches were covered in a fresh blanket of snow by Thursday afternoon. Observers point out that the rain and snowfall in this season is a blessing for those cultivating cash crops and fruits like apples. Such weather should have been witnessed in December and January, but is occurring now at the fag end of February. Still, this change in the weather will benefit potato, peas, spinach and other crops by providing much needed moisture.
