Mussoorie, March 21 -- Gangotri highway in Uttarkashi district was temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall between Sukki Top and Gangotri Dham, even as widespread rainfall lashed several parts of the state on Friday. According to officials, heavy rain was recorded across at least seven districts, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh, while areas above 3,000 metres witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph. The higher Himalayan shrines, including Badrinath Dham, Kedarnath Dham and Gangotri Dham, along with Kharsali on the Yamunotri route, received heavy snowfall. Lower regions, meanwhile, experienced intense spells of rain throughout the day. District disaster management officials said the Gangotri highway had to be shut briefly due to snow accumulation, with teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed to clear the stretch. Shardul Gusain, district disaster management officer, Uttarkashi, said, "Gangotri Dham experienced a heavy spell of snow, while the Yamunotri highway was opened for traffic on Friday." In Chamoli district, Badrinath Dham was blanketed under one to two feet of fresh snow. Sunil Purohit, executive officer of Badrinath Nagar Panchayat, confirmed heavy snowfall in the shrine area, along with rainfall in other parts of the district. Data from the India Meteorological Department centre in Dehradun showed that Nainital and Dehradun districts emerged as primary pockets of rainfall activity, recording 10 mm precipitation. Tourist destinations like Mussoorie and Koti recorded 7 mm each, leading to a noticeable dip in temperatures since Friday morning. In the plains and foothills, Kotdwar, Bhimtal and Kaladhungi recorded 6.5 mm rainfall each, while Gular Bhoj received 5.5 mm. Among higher and interior locations, Rani Chauri recorded 6 mm, while New Tehri, Satpuli and Kanatal reported rainfall between 5 mm and 5.5 mm....