Other States - Uttaranchal   

Snow lowers mercury in Uttarakhand

DEHRA DUN: Good snow in the higher areas of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh, including Badrinath and Kedarnath, over the past 48 hours has pulled down the mercury to near zero levels there. The snow is expected to recharge the aquifers and also benefit the high-altitude crops, according to the Director of the State Meteorological Centre, Anand Sharma.

The minimum temperature at Mukteshwar near Naini Tal on Tuesday was 0.3 degree Celsius with Naini Tal having a minimum of one degree Celsius.

“The temperatures are likely to fall further over the next few days,” Mr. Sharma said.

Dehra Dun recorded a minimum of 7.5 degrees and Mussoorie was much colder following showers accompanied by sleet.

The worst hit are the poor as the Administration has failed to provide wood for bonfires at important places or distribute blankets to the needy as is the normal practice during winters, as no funds are available for the purpose, it was stated.

Wildlife lovers have urged the forest and district officials to step up patrolling in the higher districts to check poaching as several high-altitude animals like the musk deer migrate to lower areas during winters and many get killed by unscrupulous poachers hunting them for venison, musk pods and hide that fetch a good price.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Snow lowers mercury in Uttarakhand
New V-C
Wild animals creating panic in Uttarakhand

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu