A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains from February 23 onward. This is likely to increase the probability of rain and snowfall in the higher reaches of the State. This might yet bring some relief in the State especially for cultivators who are directly experiencing the effects of scanty rainfall and snowfall in the State during this winter season.
The State meteorological centre has forecast dry weather in the next three days till February 22. The meteorological centre official said that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect western Himalayan region and adjoining plains from February 23 onwards. light rainfall/snowfall has been forecast in the higher reaches of the mountainous districts in the State.
The Uttarakhand meteorological centre director Bikram Singh said that on Sunday, the highest maximum temperature of 25.1°C was recorded at Jaspur while the lowest minimum temperature of 2.1°C was recorded at Mukteshwar.
It is pertinent to mention here that as per data from the meteorological centre, scant rainfall was reported during the past three months in the State. The State received about 70 per cent blow the normal rainfall between January 1 and February 14. In Haridwar, the rainfall deficiency was upto 89 per cent while it was 98 per cent in Udham Singh Nagar, 60 per cent in Dehradun, 84 per cent in Pauri, 79 per cent in Tehri, 75 per cent in Nainital, 64 per cent in Bageshwar, 66 per cent in Champawat, 61 per cent in Pithoragarh, 77 per cent in Rudraprayag, 74 per cent in Uttarkashi, 62 per cent each in Chamoli and Almora districts. As a result of the predicted western disturbances, the farmers of wheat and other crops along with those involved in horticulture are hoping for some rainfall in the coming days.