Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand recorded the season’s first heavy snowfall following continuous precipitation since October 29, covering the surrounding hills in a thick layer of snow and causing temperatures to plummet. The snowfall has transformed the mountainous region into a white landscape amid changing weather conditions.Dr CS Tomar, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun, stated that Uttarakhand is expected to experience continued rainfall over the next few days, especially in the hilly districts. He indicated that light to moderate showers are forecast for multiple locations, with isolated rainfall probable in the northern hill districts.Speaking on October 30, Dr Tomar said, “Yesterday on the 29th… according to the report we received this morning, heavy rainfall was also recorded at 8 to 9 places across the state, especially in the districts of Uttarkashi, Tehri, and Haridwar. So, mostly light to moderate rainfall was observed at many locations yesterday. We are expecting similar conditions today as well. Particularly in the Kumaon region, there are higher chances of weather activity today, so light to moderate rain is likely to occur at several places there..He added that rainfall activity is likely to gradually decrease, although light precipitation may continue at isolated locations, particularly in the northern hilly districts, on October 31 and November 1 and 2. “Tomorrow, on the 31st, chances of light to very light rain will persist, especially in the hilly districts. Similarly, on the 1st and 2nd [of next month], light to very light rain may be witnessed at isolated places, particularly in our northern hilly districts,” he said.In response to the weather department’s forecast of rain and snowfall, the district administration has been placed on high alert to ensure the safety of pilgrims and commuters. On October 29, District Magistrate Prashant Arya directed the activation of the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) in alert mode to monitor weather conditions continuously and supervise precautionary measures.The DEOC collects real-time weather updates and related information from various tehsils across the district. Authorities are also monitoring road conditions and the Shri Gangotri and Shri Yamunotri Dhams via live CCTV cameras to facilitate prompt and appropriate action if necessary.The district administration has urged devotees and pilgrims to take necessary precautions against the cold and to strictly adhere to advisories and guidelines issued by the administration and police considering the prevailing weather conditions.
Kedarnath sees season’s first heavy snowfall amid temperature drop
