Hilly areas to get light snow over next 2 days

The India meteorological department (IMD) Dehradun centre has forecast a light spell of snow in the areas above 2,800 metres from 26 to 27 February.

Meanwhile, very light rain occurred at isolated places and ground frost was reported at isolated places in Mukteshwar and Tehri district with cold wave conditions occurring in some places in the state in the past 24 hours till 8.30 am on Sunday.

Bikram Singh, director IMD Dehradun centre said, “A fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from February 26 and light spells of snow is likely in the areas above 2,800 metres from 26 to 27 February while the dry spell will prevail in the remaining areas of the state or next four days.”

According to data of the past 24 hours till 8.30 am on Sunday, the maximum temperatures remained normal in the plains and markedly below normal while minimum temperatures remained appreciably to markedly below normal in the plains and hills of Uttarakhand. The highest maximum temperature 24.5°C was recorded at Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district and the lowest minimum temperature 1.0 °C was recorded at Mukteshwar in Nainital district. The weather condition is suitable for the apple trees and will result in an increase in the yield this season, people familiar with the matter said.

Sanjay Singh Panwar, an apple grower from Harsil said, “The fresh spell of snow experienced in February in the higher reaches of Harsil is beneficial for apple crops as it will provide much-needed chilling period and help in maintaining the moisture in the tree and eliminate the pests that damage the crop.”

In Uttarkashi district, efforts were on for removing snow from the road beyond Sukki top on Gangotri Highway on Sunday.

“The teams from Border Road Organisation (BRO) were working on clearing the snow from the road beyond Sukki top using JCB machines,” Devendra Patwal the district disaster management officer Uttarkashi said.