Mussoorie, Jan. 24 -- After a prolonged dry spell, the higher reaches of Uttarakhand across both Garhwal and Kumaon regions received the first major snowfall of the season on Friday. High-altitude regions including Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Harsil, Pithoragarh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri were covered in a thick blanket of snow, varying between 4 to 12 inches. CS Tomar, director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun Centre, said the snowfall was triggered by a dip in the isotherm following heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. According to IMD, light to moderate rain and snowfall was likely at most places in the hilly districts over the next 24 hours, particularly in areas located beyond 2,300 metres above sea level, while very light to light rain was expected in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts. In Mussoorie, residents and tourists woke up to snowfall after weeks of dry weather, and traffic movement slowed due to a surge in tourist vehicles heading towards Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. Sub-divisional magistrate Rahul Anand said precautionary arrangements had been made. "The traffic situation is currently normal, but considering the rush of tourists due to snowfall, we have requested deployment of provincial police force.," he said. The snowfall also disrupted normal life in Uttarkashi district. Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams experienced heavy snowfall, while moderate snow was recorded in Kharsali, Kafnol and interior areas. Vehicular movement on the Gangotri National Highway was disrupted after the road was blocked between Sukki Top and Gangotri due to heavy snow accumulation. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams were deployed to clear the route....