Uttarakhand covered in snow; disrupts travel, Auli continues to attract tourists – ET TravelWorld

Uttarakhand is experiencing a snow spell right now. The heavy snowfall lasted for the last 36 hours and now has disrupted travel in the region. The snow began late Wednesday and continued into Thursday. It has now blanketed the four dhams of Uttarakhand and the highest peaks with snow, while the lower areas have been battered by relentless rain.

The heavy snow has led to the closure of important routes, including the Badri-Kedar highway, while the freezing temperatures along the Kailash Mansarovar route have caused difficulties, especially in the Kali River region of Gunji in Pithoragarh district, where temperatures have plummeted to a bone-chilling -30 degrees Celsius.

Snowfall has heavily impacted several prominent tourist sites such as Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers. The thick snow cover has halted vehicle movement beyond the TV tower on the road leading to Auli, while the Gangotri highway was shut for eight hours between Sukki and Gangotri due to snow accumulation in the Harsil Valley. Access to Gangotri Dham has been limited to the Harsil area, and electricity supply from Gangnani to Gangotri has been severely disrupted.

Kedarnath Dham has also seen significant snowfall, with up to two feet of snow covering the area, exacerbating the already challenging winter conditions. Despite the challenges brought by the winter weather, the region remains a popular destination for tourists. While the post-New Year period typically sees a dip in tourist numbers, Auli continues to attract visitors, with around 500 tourists arriving daily to enjoy the winter landscape created by the snow.

Deepak Dimri, the in-charge of the Auli chair lift, shared that while the number of visitors decreased after the holiday season, Auli’s scenic beauty continues to draw tourists. Prior to the New Year, the average daily visitors were around 1,000, but the region still maintains a steady flow of visitors.

The consistent tourist interest in Auli, even during the harsh winter conditions, highlights the region’s allure, despite the weather challenges. While the tourism sector has faced some temporary setbacks due to the severe conditions, Uttarakhand’s snow-covered landscapes remain a major attraction. The resilience of the state’s people and the beauty of its winter scenery continue to draw tourists from all over India, offering a glimpse of the state’s unique winter charm.