Himachal, Uttarakhand get season's first snowfall

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand had a ‘White Christmas’ on Sunday as they received the season’s first snowfall, which coupled with rain pulled down the mercury in the northern region, including New Delhi.

The dry spell of weather continued in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with most of the state reeling under sub-zero temperatures, while rain in Haryana and Punjab brought down the mercury in the region.

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and its surrounding areas received slight traces of snowfall before showers lashed the region, while the adjoining tourist resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda had light snowfall. The minimum temperature dipped to 3.5 degrees in Shimla. For the first time in 25 years, Himachal Pradesh received snowfall on Christmas, officials said.

Kalpa in Kinaur district received 7 cm of snow, while Kufri and Narkanda had 2 cm and 5 cm of snow, respectively. Shimla received 1 cm rain, while Solan, Kangra and Dharamsala received 6 mm, 2 mm and 5 mm of rain, respectively.

The Uttarakhand hills received the season’s first snowfall on Christmas, while the lower areas were lashed by moderate showers causing a sharp dip in temperatures across the state.

Places located above 3,000 metres in the state’s Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi districts, including the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath, received the season’s first snowfall even as the plains, including Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and adjoining areas were swept by icy winds and a light drizzle.

Yamunotri, Gangotri, Harkidoon, Radi and Baukh Dibba were also lashed by heavy snowfall, their first spell this winter. In Uttar Pradesh, dense fog occurred at many places resulting in the death of seven people and injuries to 14 others in separate road mishaps in Bhadohi district.

The Kashmir Valley experienced a slight relief from intense cold as the minimum temperature went up in the region, while the mercury plummeted in Ladakh. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, while Kargil, in Ladakh region, was the coldest recording a low of minus 9.9 degrees Celsius.