Snowfall at Vaishno Devi shrine; cold wave grips North India
The Vaishno Devi Temple received its first snowfall of the season on Thursday. Visuals of the cave shrine—located in Trikuta Hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra district—went viral minutes after surfacing on the internet. At the same time, just 222 kilometers away, Srinagar was also covered in white. Parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand also received fresh snowfall, reports said.
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The snowfall, which started in parts of North India late on Wednesday and continued through Thursday, marks the season's first for many cities. The lack of snow this year in parts of Kashmir and nearby states earlier raised environmental and economic concerns. Popular tourist destinations, including Shimla, were also bereft of snow before, bringing local businesses to a halt during peak season.
Authorities warn of risks on highways
Despite the snowfall, the pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Temple remained unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims departing from the Katra base camp Thursday morning, PTI reported. Authorities have warned people about the potential risk of landslides and shooting stones on vulnerable spots along the highways. Pilgrims have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, officials added.
Watch: Snowfall in Katra
IMD alert for extreme weather conditions
Amid the snowfall in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and nearby areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alerts for parts of North India. The IMD has also issued a "cold day alert" for various parts of Delhi as the national capital continues to grapple with bone-chilling cold. The weather office has also predicted above-normal rainfall in February across the country.
Pictures of snow-covered Shimla
Farmers enthused by fresh snowfall
The onset of snowfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and the Himalayas has infused a wave of optimism among farmers, fruit growers, and the tourism industry. The IMD forecasted heavy snowfall in higher reaches like Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts in the upcoming days. The fresh snowfall is anticipated to be beneficial for Rabi crops, reports said.
