Dehradun: After witnessing dry weather for the past few days, a fresh spell of rain lashed the plains and foothills while the higher reaches of Uttarakhand received light to moderate snowfall on Friday. High altitude places such as Auli, Chakrata, Gairsain and Mukteshwar received fresh spell of snowfall causing a dip in maximum temperatures, and a considerable drop was also witnessed in plains and foothills.
Regional meteorological centre also predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places especially in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Almora, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts on Friday. Warning of heavy snowfall at isolated places above 3000m was also issued.
Bikram Singh, director of regional meteorological centre, said, “As predicted, rainfall lashed Dehradun and several other places in Uttarakhand throughout Friday. On the other hand, higher reaches also received snowfall. Similar weather is likely to continue till Saturday afternoon.” According to the Met office, Lohaghat and Champawat received 30mm rainfall each, while Pithoragarh and Haldwani each were lashed by 20mm rain. Mussoorie received 20mm rainfall.
Meanwhile, the Friday rains in Dehradun, exposed the condition of the newly constituted wards in the city where residents said that basic amenities such as cleanliness and road conditions are dismal. Residents of Vanasthali Puram Housing Society added that the situation gets worse when it rains.
RWA president Brijendra Singh Negi said, “Our problem is not limited to one particular department, instead the overall development of the society is in a mess. From cleanliness, potholes, leaking water supply pipes to foul smell from the open drain close to the houses add to our problems.” Residents added that the drain water is stagnant and pigs can be seen all around the place. Ganesh Gaur, a resident, said, “Sometimes, the smell from the drain flows with wind and engulfs the entire society making it unbearable. There is cow dung everywhere and this can lead to diseases.”
Mahesh Bhandari, president of Doon residents’ welfare front, said, “The newly constituted wards should be a priority for all departments. The drains in every area should be cleaned from time to time to avoid waterlogging and accidents. The government must also make a provision to increase the councilors’ fund, so that more development work can be carried out without any hassle.”
Talking to TOI, Chaktunwala ward councilor Pooja Negi said, “Development work in the ward is underway. If the residents raise any specific complaint, the matter will be resolved on priority basis.”
