Tawang, W Siang, Bomdila record season's first snowfall

Several districts in Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang, have recorded the season's first snowfall.

Sela Pass in Tawang district, situated at an altitude of 13,700 feet from the sea level on the Bomdila-Tawang road, received snowfall since Monday affecting vehicular movement, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Jang, L W Bapu, said.

"Several vehicles were stranded near Sela Pass on Tuesday due to heavy snowfall since past several days and the administration with the help of police and Army personnel have rescued them," Bapu said.

The road would be hopefully cleared by Wednesday afternoon as the weather condition has been improving, he said.

"We have urged people not to travel at night," the ADC said.

According to local people, snowfall on or before Torgya, a three-day local monastic festival celebrated at the renowned Tawang monastery in January, is considered a good omen.

Snowfall has also been recorded at Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng district, the mountains of Mechukha in West Siang district and Mayudia in Dibang valley district in the past couple of days.

This year snowfall has also been reported from Kibithu in Anjaw, Lemiking and Taksing in Upper Subansiri districts.

"The people are enjoying the first snowfall of the season and arranging picnics in several locations," district officials said.