Munsiyari under thick snow

B D Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 20

Sudden and unexpected snowfall was received in the higher reaches of Munsiyari and Dharchula sub-divisions of Pithoragarh district and the Devidhura range of Champawat, besides Ramnagar hill of Nainital today. As a result, the temperature dipped in the lower valleys, bringing good news for farmers who were waiting for rain for their drying rabi crops.

“The temperature at Munsiyari town and Gunji camp dipped below 0°C after an average of 5 cm to 10 cm of snow in Kalamuni and Gunji in Byans valley of the district,” said a Met Department official.

Peaks of Panchachuli, Rajrambha and Hansling close to Munsiyari got over 10 cm of snow while the peaks surrounding Gunji camp in Vyans valley received more than 15 cm of snow this morning.

In Champawat district, the Devidhura hills received over 5 cm of snow after midnight, but it melted immediately.

Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall has resulted in chilling cold conditions and a sharp fall in temperatures in the Mayawati Ashram area of the Lohaghat sub-division.