Dehradun: On Thursday, the Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for six districts—Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh—warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowfall.
Officials have advised people to remain cautious, especially while traveling in hilly areas. Landslide-prone zones should be avoided, and residents are urged to stay in safe places during storms.
Orange Alert in Six Districts
According to the Meteorological Centre, strong winds of 50–60 kilometres per hour are likely in mountainous areas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in the plains. A yellow alert has also been issued for other districts, where light to moderate rain and strong winds may occur.
Weather to Continue Till March 25
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the current weather pattern will continue until March 25. This means that rain, snowfall, and cold conditions will persist for several days.
Weather in Dehradun
On Thursday, Dehradun experienced a mix of sunshine and clouds in the morning. By afternoon, drizzle and strong winds began, followed by heavy rain in some areas. Light rain was recorded in other parts of the city. The rain continued intermittently until late at night, causing temperatures to drop sharply.
Cold Returns
Due to continuous rain and snowfall, the cold has returned across the state. People have once again taken out their warm clothes. Snowfall in high-altitude areas, including Kedarnath and Badrinath, has brought severe chill. Rain in the lower regions has also lowered temperatures, making conditions uncomfortable.
Snowfall in Pithoragarh
In the border district of Pithoragarh, fresh snowfall occurred in higher elevations, while rain and cloud movement continued in the lower areas. Strong winds have added to the cold. Moderate snowfall is expected in the upper reaches, while hailstorms are likely in the lower regions today.
Temperature Records
On Thursday, Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 28.5°C and a minimum of 16.8°C. Pantnagar reported a maximum of 31.8°C and a minimum of 18.6°C. Mukteshwar recorded 19.9°C maximum and 6.5°C minimum, while New Tehri reported 18.0°C maximum and 6.2°C minimum. These figures show a significant drop compared to earlier days.
Farmers’ Relief
While the weather has caused discomfort for residents, farmers are relieved. March rain and snowfall are considered beneficial for crops, especially apples. The moisture will help revive crops that were drying due to lack of rain.
With heavy rain, snowfall, and strong winds predicted until March 25, residents are advised to remain cautious. While the cold has returned, farmers are hopeful that the rain and snow will benefit crop production.