People keep indoors in Haridwar, normal life affected

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 3

Cold weather conditions prevailed in Haridwar today owing to continuous rain and cold windy conditions yesterday. The normal life was affected with a majority of people remaining indoors. The temperatures in the city ranged between 15°C and 8°C today. Inner streets and stretches of potholed national highway passing through the city was water-logged, inconveniencing commuters. Traffic moved at a slow pace on the National Highway-58 and the National Highway-72 due to low visibility, affecting movement of pilgrims and tourists.

There was less arrival of devotees at Brahma Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, adjacent Subash Ghat, Birla Ghat, VIP Ghat, Alaknanda Ghat, Gau Ghat, Kushawrat Ghat, Rishikul Ghat, Luv Kush Ghat, Swami Vivekanand Ghat, Gobind Ghat, Valmiki Ghat, Prem Nagar Ghat and Ram Sita Ghat due to the severe cold conditions.

Similar was the situation at main places like Har-ki-Pauri, Moti Bazaar, Upper Market, Chandracharya Square Market, Shankar Ashram Market, and suburban Jwalapur where trading and commercial activities were affected. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation claimed that dry wood had been provided for lighting fire at the railway station, the bus stand and other major points of the city.

MNA Vipra Trivedi said she had directed civic body officials to ensure availability of wood for bonfire and she could be contacted if firewood was still not provided at any identified place. Fauji Bhai, a tea vendor, said owing to severe cold the demand of tea had increased. Meanwhile, political parties and organisations had cancelled their agitations and programmes owing to heavy rain and sever cold conditions.