Mercury dips as fresh rain, snow lash U’khand

Dehradun: After a brief dry spell, a fresh round of rain and snowfall lashed several parts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, causing a dip in the day temperatures across the Himalayan state.

Since Tuesday morning, state capital Dehradun and surrounding areas witnessed intermittent showers, bringing the maximum temperature down by a few notches. The higher reaches in the state were lashed by snowfall.

“Weather in Uttarakhand has changed under the influence of fresh western disturbance. The rain and snow activity is going to continue at many places till January 29,” said Bikram Singh, director of regional meteorological centre.

The regional meteorological centre has also issued a warning of heavy snowfall at isolated places with altitude of 3,000m and above in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag in the 24 hours starting from Tuesday evening. Similarly, hail is likely to occur at isolated places in Nainital, Dehradun, Pauri, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts on January 29.

The maximum temperatures which were settling strikingly above normal in both hills and plains of the state dropped following the wet spell on Tuesday. The minimum temperature, on the other hand, remained around normal only.

The maximum temperature in Dehradun recorded at 15.5 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal, while the minimum settled at 10.2 degrees Celsius.

In Pantnagar, the maximum temperature remained at 17.6 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal, and the minimum temperature was recorded at 10.2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, in view of the adverse weather conditions, schools and anganwadis were ordered to remain closed by district administration in several districts like Nainital, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts on Wednesday.