Sandakphu witnesses unexpected snowfall

EOI, DARJEELING, NOVEMBER 21 — Temperatures dipped in Darjeeling on Thursday, even as Sandakphu, about 61 km from Darjeeling and standing at a height of 11,929 feet, along with its upper reaches, experienced unexpected snowfall since the afternoon. Local people in Sandakphu said snowfall there started around two in the afternoon, with a thin layer of snow accumulating and turning the area white.

"Snowfall started around 2 PM in the afternoon, falling for more than an hour. However, we do not feel that it will stay on the ground for long, as this is not the time for snowfall. Now, it is warmer than winter," Anil Tamang of the Singalila Land Rover Association said. The Land Rovers, which carry tourists to Sandakphu from Manebhanjyang, had to navigate the area with caution.

Sandakphu experiencing snowfall in the third week of November has come as a surprise. Darjeeling had been witnessing good weather for the past few days, but it turned chilly on Thursday. The last snowfall in Sandakphu, part of the Singalila National Park, was on March 20 this year. Tourists had been stranded that time for a day. This time, however, though there are tourists there, they are not expected to get stuck.

"About 30 vehicles had taken tourists to Sandakphu, with each carrying about four of them. There are also numerous trekkers there, but we do not feel they will get stuck, as there is not that much snowfall. Vehicles can easily ply," said Tamang.

In Darjeeling town, the temperature dipped to 12 degrees Celsius during the day. Darjeeling town has not witnessed snowfall for some time now. The last snowfall in Darjeeling town was on December 29, 2021. At that time, however, the snow did not accumulate. The snowfall was brief, accompanied by rainfall. However, Tiger Hill, about 12 km from Darjeeling and standing at a height of 2,560 meters, experienced snowfall on January 20, 2022.