Monsoon has reactivated over many states, with an active Western Disturbance over Northwest India, Saurashtra and a low pressure area over the surrounding Northeast Arabian Sea. Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh received their first snowfall of the season, while higher peaks including Badrinath and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand received heavy snowfall. In the plains, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan experienced thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds.
A sudden change in the weather made the lower regions colder
Uttarakhand’s Yamunotri Dham has been raining since Thursday morning and snowfall has started on the surrounding high peaks. The Sapta Rishi Kund, Bandarpoonch and Garuda Ganga peaks were covered with a white sheet of snow. The peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Madamheswar and Tungnath also received snowfall. On the other hand, high altitude areas of Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath Dham also received heavy snowfall. The sudden change in weather made the lower regions colder.
Pilgrims also faced difficulties
Meanwhile, pilgrims on the Chardham Yatra also faced difficulties. After the snowfall, Kedarnath recorded a maximum temperature of 3 degrees to 5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of minus 2 degrees to 3 degrees Celsius. Monsoon is wreaking havoc in Haryana before its departure. Heavy rains lashed 20 districts of the state on Thursday, due to the impact of a western disturbance that activated on Wednesday evening.
Snowfall in Himachal, Manimhesh Yatra halted
About 30 cm of snow fell at Sach Pass in Himachal Pradesh. In Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti there was intermittent snowfall on the higher peaks including Rohtang, Baralacha, Kunzum and Shinkula Pass. Sundarsi, Gaurikund and the holy Manimhesh area of the district received about 10 cm of snowfall. Manimhesh Yatra had to be stopped for three hours in the morning due to snowfall. 27 sheep and goats were killed and many injured in Bharmaur due to lightning. Two residential houses collapsed and two cars were buried under the debris due to a heavy landslide in Sundernagar, Mandi.
Arrival of winter in Kashmir
Meteorological department has confirmed snowfall in Gurez valley of Bandipora district of Kashmir Valley. There are signs of winter in the area. Snow has also fallen on Sinthan Top in Jammu’s Kishtwar. The first snowfall of the season has brought down temperatures and made it colder in many areas.