Cheers returned to the faces of farmers and common people as the western disturbance brought widespread rainfall in the State on Sunday. In Dehradun, the State capital, the day witnessed moderate rainfall which brought normal activities to a grinding halt.
The weathermen had predicted light to moderate rainfall in many parts of the State and for a change the prediction proved correct. It is needless to mention here that the department’s predictions have gone haywire from quite some time.
Apart from rains in most parts of the State, snowfall was also reported in higher reaches. Snowfall was experienced in many parts of Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts.
The turnaround in the weather was appreciated by all as almost the entire winter season had gone rainless in the most parts of the State.
The absence of rains has also ensured an unusually warm winters this year. However on the Sunday the residents of the state capital and other parts of the state were forced to stay indoors due to rain. The spells of the rains which continued throughout the day in Dehradun brought a sharp drop in maximum temperature.
The maximum temperature on the day was 13.4 degrees was only on handshaking distance of with the minimum which was 11 degrees Celsius. Though snowfall was reported in many hill stations of state the wait for snow for Mussoorie continued, however tourist started heading towards Dhanolti located near Mussoorie when the reports of snowfall in this area arrived in the day.
The weather department has predicted that light to moderate rainfall or snow could occur in many parts of state on Monday however a clear to partly clouded sky for State capital is on anvil as per the weathermen.
The department has also predicted snowfall in higher reaches of Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts while dry weather would prevail in other parts of the state.
The current spell of rains is being termed beneficial for the farmers who were worried by a prolonged dry run. The Rabi crop would be greatly benefited by the rains. The rain and snow also auger well for the cultivation of fruits like Apple in regions located in higher altitudes.