Uttarakhand weather update: Bitter cold grips state, frost covers mountains, dense fog continues to trouble plains
Uttarakhand's weather remains dry with bright sunshine during the day, but it is bitterly cold in the mornings and evenings. Frost in the hills and fog in the plains continue, while rainfall is expected to stay below normal until March, raising concerns for farmers and glaciers.
Dehradun: The weather in Uttarakhand has remained dry for several weeks. Bright sunshine brings some relief during the day, but mornings and evenings are bitterly cold. Frost covers the mountains, while dense fog continues to trouble the plains.
According to the Meteorological Department, there will be no major change in the weather for the next three to four days. The state is expected to remain dry, with fog affecting visibility in many areas.
Fog and travel difficulties
Dense fog is likely in Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Champawat, Pauri, and Dehradun. Light to moderate fog may also occur in some mountainous regions. This fog is expected to cause travel difficulties, and even air services may be affected due to low visibility.
Lack of rainfall since November
November and December were unusually dry months, with negligible rainfall and snowfall. January has also remained dry so far. Although light snowfall occurred in some hilly areas, it was not enough to improve conditions.
The Meteorological Department had predicted snowfall in higher peaks at the start of the new year, but this proved insufficient. Experts now say rainfall may remain below normal until March.
Impact on glaciers and rivers
The prolonged absence of Western Disturbances has been identified as the main reason for the dry weather. This lack of rain and snow is expected to affect the Western Himalayan region, including Uttarakhand.
In the coming days, the impact may be visible in the form of:
Less snow accumulation on glaciers
Declining water levels in rivers
Higher than normal heat during summer months
Continued dry conditions could lead to serious challenges for farming
Farmers are particularly worried about the effect of dry weather on the Rabi crop. With less rainfall, soil moisture is decreasing, which may reduce crop production. Agricultural experts warn that continued dry conditions could lead to serious challenges for farming communities.
Situation is worrying for both the environment and the economy
The Meteorological Centre has confirmed that rainfall in North West India is expected to remain below normal from January to March. This situation is worrying for both the environment and the economy, as glaciers, rivers, and agriculture all depend on regular snowfall and rainfall.