PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
The continued delay in rain and snowfall in the mountainous regions has exacerbated the woes being caused by dry cold. The locals in the Chamoli district are now resorting to offering special prayers to the deities to bring about the desired change in weather. Apart from the damage being caused to agriculture, water streams and water leaking from supply pipes is freezing routinely as the much anticipated change in weather remains elusive. Locals point out that generally, this is the time when the higher reaches used to be covered in a blanket of snow but there has not been any snowfall or rain in the mountains this winter.
The first fortnight of January is about to end in a few days but the rain and snowfall witnessed in the mountains every winter during this winter has not occurred so far. The resulting dry cold conditions have negatively affected the agriculture in the region along with tourism activities. Crops including wheat, barley and peas sown by farmers are being negatively affected by the lack of rain and snowfall in the mountains. Considering the weather conditions and the absence of rain and snowfall, the locals in this region are offering special prayers to the deities seeking rain and snowfall so that the crops thrive and tourism activities are revived.
