The weather took a turn on Sunday morning with light snowfall being experienced at Auli and rain in the Joshimath area. This has led to a marked drop in the level of mercury and brought some relief for farmers who were otherwise facing a potential loss from crop damage due to the delay in snowfall and rains.
The change in weather on Sunday morning brought with it light snowfall at high altitude areas and rainfall in the lower altitude areas of Chamoli district among other parts of the State.
The light snowfall and rain continued till the evening also affecting the operation of some internet service connections in the area. With the light snowfall on Sunday, Auli and other Himalayan peaks peaks are covered in a white blanket of fresh snow but the quantity of snowfall is not good enough for skiing and other snow sports.
The inadequacy of snow is also a matter of concern for the State authorities with the national junior skiing championship slated to be held at Auli on February 12.
It is pertinent to mention here that since last year, the State Government claims to have been encouraging adventure tourism and pilgrimage during the winter season.
However observers point out that the delay and inadequacy of rain and snowfall in the State this season due to climate change has affected the execution of such plans apart from exerting a negative impact on agriculture and cultivation of fruits like apples in Uttarakhand.