The first snowfall of the season, coupled with rains, in the mountainous region of Uttrakhand since Friday, has proved the harbinger of real winter as it has resulted in a sharp seven-degree dip in the maximum temperature to 15.2 from 22.3 degree Celsius. The people, by and large, chose to keep themselves indoors. Many were seen huddled around the fire at various public spots.
Snowfall has been continuing in Badrinath since Friday evening. The pilgrim town is presently under three- inch thick blanket of the white flakes. This apart, rains in the other mountainous parts has heralded the winter in the true sense with the mercury fast dipping. According to weather department, the current spell of rains would be beneficial for the standing crops. The weathermen predicted of the snowfall till Monday.
Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre has forecast cloudy sky, light to moderate rainfall or thunderstorm at isolated places in the plains and moderate rainfall accompanied by snow in the higher reaches of the State on Sunday. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be hovering in the neighbourihood of 15 degree Celsius and 8 degree Celsius respectively. Hailstorm could occur at isolated places too, the met officials said.
However, there is little likelihood of Mussoorie experiencing snowfall right now. It would have to wait for some more days for the much-awaited culmination of the winter, the weathermen opined .Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal districts will witness light to moderate rains and thundershowers at some places on Sunday.
Rain accompanied with snowfall in higher reaches and rain at isolated places in the plains on Sunday brought the maximum temperature down by around seven degrees Celsius on saturday, said Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre Director Anand Sharma while talking to the Pioneer.Sharma further said that there is a report of snowfall at Badrinath, Kedarnath and some other high altitude places. Dehradun has received reported 4 mm of rains since Friday.
He further said that he had predicted rains between December 13 and 15 and advised the farmers not to go for irrigation. Sharma attributed the present state of weather to western disturbances and induced cyclonic circulation having formed over Haryana and neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh.Sharma said that the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 15.2°C and 9.6°C respectively in Dehradun on Saturdaywhile it was 22.3 and 7.5 degree respectively on Friday.