DARJEELING,: Temperatures dipped in Darjeeling as Sandakhpu, about 61 km from Darjeeling and standing at a height of 11,929 feet, along with its upper reaches experienced unexpected snowfall from Thursday afternoon.
Locals there maintained that snowfall there started around 2 pm with a thin layer of snowfall accumulation there turning the area white.
"Snowfall started around 2 pm in the afternoon with it falling for more than an hour. However, we do not feel that it will stay in the ground for long as this is not the time for snowfall and it being more warmer then winters," said Anil Tamang of Singalila Land Rover Association which plies tourists to Sandakhpu from Manenbhanjyang.
The last snowfall in Sandakhpu, which falls under Singallila National Park this time round, was on March 20 this year. Tourists had been stranded that time round 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 Sandakhpu with each carrying about 4 of them. Then there are numerous trekkers there also but we do not feel they will get stuck as there is not that much snowfall so vehicles can easily ply," said Tamang.
On the other hand, temperatures also dipped in Darjeeling town area with temperatures dipping to 12 degree Celsius.
Snowfall has evaded Darjeeling town for some time now with the last snowfall seen here on December 29, 2021 with much snow however not accumulating then due to it falling for a brief period with rainfall. However, Tiger Hill about 12 km from Darjeeling and standing at a height of 2,560 metres had seen snowfall on January 20, 2022.