Thal to Munsiyari road closed due to snow
Thal to Munsiyari road closed due to snow
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Jan 28
The Thal to Munsiyari road in Pithoragarh district was closed due to heavy snowfall at 17 km long stretch from Ratapani to Munsiyari. “The road that is full of recently fell snow, is likely to be opened by tomorrow, “said an official from Munsiyari SDM office.
Residents of Munsiyari said that traditional snowfall pattern have changed as only two snowfalls occurred this winter season as compared to atleast ten snowfalls during winters in the past from October till February.
“Munsiyari witnessed second snowfall of the season today, as it witnessed over 2 inches of snowfall in the town while the regions of Milan, and tourist spot of Khaliatop witnessed 3 and 1.5 feet of snowfall in second major snowfall which continued from last night,” said Puran Pandey, a resident of Munsiyari town.
“Till last year, snowfall in Munsiyari used to occur over 10 times during winter months, it used to be more on higher reaches and low in the valleys but this year it fell at same density at both heights,” claimed Pandey.
The locals in Munsiyari said that though late but this snowfall will rejuvenate over 50 natural water sources around Munsiyari and would be beneficial for the fruit and local vegetable crops.”It will ultimately result into increase in tourism,” said Sri Ram Singh Dharmasaktu, another resident of Munsiyari.
Darma and Vyans, two other high Himalayan valleys of Pithoragarh also witnessed heavy snowfall on second time today. “Snow deposits are seen frequently on Tawaghat to Dantu village on 70 km long stretch of Darma valley today,” said Shalu Datal, a resident of Dantu village of Darma valley.
According to weather department report, released by district administration today, a snowfall is likely to occur at regions of hill state from 2500 meters above while rest of low elevation regions will face chilling cold.
