No snowfall at Kedarnath, shrine unusually dry; Environmentalists are alarmed, Uttarakhand plains face dense fog

Rudraprayag: At a time when Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand is usually covered in thick layers of snow, the temple and surrounding areas remain dry.

Till Tuesday, no snowfall was recorded, raising concerns among environmentalists and locals. Normally, by December, Kedarnath receives at least five to eight feet of snow.

Labourers can only work for three to four hours a day due to the dry, cold weather

The absence of snow has created unusual conditions. Labourers working on Kedarnath’s reconstruction project say they can only work for three to four hours a day due to the dry, cold weather. The pilgrimage this year was already impacted by disasters like excess rainfall, cloudbursts, floods, and landslides. Now, the lack of snow is adding to the challenges.

Many reasons behind the erratic weather

Experts point to climate change, deforestation, large-scale construction, and rising vehicle numbers as reasons behind the erratic weather. Heat, rainfall, and snowfall patterns are shifting. Ground and air temperatures remain high, preventing snow from accumulating. Lack of rain also leads to dry conditions, causing dust to stay suspended in the air, resulting in smog and breathing difficulties.

Uttarakhand witnesses tourists escaping pollution from Delhi

The impact is visible across Uttarakhand. Cities like Dehradun, Kashipur, and Rishikesh, which attract tourists escaping pollution from Delhi and nearby regions, have seen their Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorate sharply. Environmentalists warn that both higher and lower Himalayan regions are showing signs of stress due to climate change and pollution.

Weather update from across Uttarakhand

While Kedarnath remains dry, other parts of Uttarakhand are also experiencing unusual weather. Bright sunshine has raised daytime temperatures in Dehradun and hilly districts, with maximums recorded four to five degrees above normal. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, warning of travel disruptions.

Char Dham Yatra saw a record footfall of over 50 lakh pilgrims

Before closing in November for the winter season, the Char Dham Yatra saw a record footfall of over 50 lakh pilgrims. Kedarnath alone received 17.68 lakh devotees between May and October. With the shrine now closed, worship of Baba Kedarnath continues at the deity’s winter seat, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.