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Uttarakhand is currently in the grip of a severe winter spell, with substantial snowfall blanketing the region for the last 36 hours. The intense weather began late Wednesday and continued through Thursday, covering all four dhams and the highest peaks in snow, whereas the lower regions experienced unrelenting rain. The heavy snowfall has led to the closure of the Badri-Kedar highway, and similarly, the Kailash Mansarovar route is experiencing difficulties due to the freezing temperatures of the Kali River in Gunji, Pithoragarh district, reaching a bone-chilling -30 degrees Celsius.
Notably, areas such as Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers, among others, are under a thick blanket of snow. This has significantly impacted transportation, with small vehicle movement halted beyond the TV tower on the road to Auli due to snow and frost. The Gangotri highway saw an eight-hour closure from Sukki to Gangotri due to heavy snowfall in the Harsil Valley and the higher altitudes, restricting access beyond Harsil towards Gangotri dham.
Electricity supply from Gangnani to Gangotri dham has been severely affected by the precipitation. Moreover, Kedarnath dham has witnessed up to two feet of snow accumulation, adding to the harsh winter conditions the state is currently facing.
Despite the post-New Year dip in tourist numbers, Auli continues to draw visitors, with around 500 tourists arriving daily to witness the winter wonderland created by the recent heavy snowfall. Deepak Dimri, the in-charge of the Auli chair lift, shared, "The tourist influx leading up to the New Year was quite robust, with an average of 1,000 visitors using the chair lift each day." He observed a decline in numbers following the holiday season but emphasized the ongoing appeal of the region. Dimri stated, "Despite this downturn, the region continues to attract around 500 tourists daily," attributing the sustained interest in Auli to the picturesque scenery formed by the snowfall.
The consistent flow of visitors to Auli, even after the holiday season, underscores the charm of this destination despite the current weather challenges. Uttarakhand's tourism sector, while momentarily impacted by the adverse conditions, remains a significant attraction for those seeking to experience its winter landscape. As the state navigates through this harsh winter, the resilience of its people and the beauty of its snow-covered locales continue to draw attention from across the country.
