Rain with snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in the plains of Uttarakhand on Saturday brought cheer to farmers in the region as snowfall and rain this month is considered good for wheat and apple.
Though the weather is expected to remain clear for another two days, light to moderate rainfall at isolated places in plains and rain with snowfall in higher reaches of Uttarakhand is expected to occur on January 22, said Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre director Anand Sharma on Sunday. He attributed this to western disturbances and induced cyclonic circulation over Haryana and neighbouring districts.
Snowfall in Mussoorie attracted tourists in throngs on Saturday. With Mussoorie filled to capacity with tourists, the district administration restricted traffic to this hill station on Sunday. Traffic on many mountainous roads was affected due to the snow.
The farmers in the mountainous parts who were waiting for rain with snowfall for apple crops welcomed the change in weather while farmers in the plains also welcomed the rains for the resulting benefit to wheat crop. Moreover, due to sunshine since morning on Sunday, Doon residents come out from their home for morning walks while some were seen basking in the sun on terraces, at parks and playgrounds.
Sharma said that the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 21.3°C and 5.5°C respectively in Dehradun on Sunday. The State has come under the grip of cold conditions following western disturbances.
He further said that the weather forecast for Dehradun on Monday is mainly clear sky. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 21°C and 6°C respectively on Monday in Dehradun. The weather forecast for Uttarakhand is mainly dry weather across the State. Mist/ fog may occur at isolated places in plains especially in Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts.
Following widespread rainfall in the plains and snowfall in higher reaches especially Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Mukteshwar, Tehri and other places on Saturday, the snow lovers from the city and tourists from neighbouring States rushed to the accessible higher reaches to witness snow. However, the snowfall also brought problem for the traffic especially for the traffic to Mussoorie. Only a few taxis and buses plied to Mussoorie on Sunday due to traffic restrictions and accident risk due to snow covering the roads.
The weather department had recorded 47.5 mm of rainfall in Dehradun in the last 48 hours, 77.4 mm in Pantnagar, 47.4 mm in Mukteshwar,18.6 mm in Tehri, 43.4 mm in Pithoragarh, 48 mm in Nainital and 17.4 mm in Haridwar. Mukteshwar and Tehri received 8 inches and 4.5 inches of snowfall respectively in the last 48 hours.