Joshimath sinking: Amid evacuation, fresh snowfall in Auli adds to woes

DEHRADUN: Residents of Joshimath, reeling under the trauma of loss of their homes and livelihoods, are now faced with another problem. Amid evacuations and demolitions, the residents had to endure a sudden drop in temperature following a fresh spell of snowfall in Auli, around 10km from the town, on Friday.

Moreover, Joshimath, which is facing land-subsidence, was lashed by 1.2 mm rainfall on Friday, as per the regional meteorological centre. With light showers in Joshimath and fresh snowfall in Auli, there was a drop in the temperature by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in Chamoli and surrounding areas on Friday morning, as per the met office.

Besides Auli, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Chakrata and high-altitude areas in Uttarkashi district, too, received light snowfall.

"Mercury in Joshimath and surrounding areas in Chamoli will witness a drop, especially the minimum temperatures. In morning and night hours, the temperature is likely to settle at 2.3°C, while it will hover around 10 to 11°C in the daytime," said Bikram Singh, director, regional met centre. He said dry weather will prevail in Uttarakhand for next few days, after which rain and snow will follow.