Heavy snowfall in higher reaches of Uttarakhand intensifies cold

Dehrun, Jan 4 (PTI) higher reaches of Uttarakhand hills including Chardham received heavy swfall while lower areas were hit by showers and hail on Saturday as temperatures went down furr throughout state.

Gangotri and Yamutri temples in Uttarkashi district, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag besides Brinath in Chamoli district received heavy swfall in afteron and were covered under thick layers of sw, Disaster Mitigation and Manment Centre officials said.

Harsil, Sukki, Mukhwa, Jankichatti and Kharsali in Uttarkashi district also received sw.

Swfall in higher reaches and rain coupled with hail at places in lower areas led to a sharp drop in mercury levels with locals lighting bonfires to fight cold.

Nanda Devi National Park and Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary in Chamoli district also received white sheets of sw.

State capital Dehrun was lashed by rain coupled with hail in afteron intensifying cold.

Mukteshwar recorded a minimum of -1.2 degree Celsius followed by New Tehri at 1.2 degrees Celsius, Pantnagar at 6.5 degrees Celsius and Dehrun at 7.3 degrees Celsius, MeT office said.