Sandakphu — the highest point in Bengal situated at an altitude of 11,900 feet above sea level — received its first snowfall of this winter on Thursday, weeks earlier than in 2023.

"This is the winter’s first snowfall here at a time when there are a lot of tourists here,” said local resident Testen Sherpa, who runs a homestay. "The snowfall actually radiates the romance of winter. The place is currently swathed in a blanket of white."

The region received about an inch of snowfall throughout Thursday.

Last winter, the region received its first snowfall on December 7.

It had last snowed at Sandakphu on March 22 this year. Snowfall in March in this area is deemed “considerably late".

The chill in the air was also felt in Darjeeling town, around 70km away, on Thursday.

"The minimum temperature in Darjeeling town hit 4.8 degrees Celsius today,” said an official of the IMD department.

Weather officials have predicted that the minimum temperatures will continue to dip in the next two weeks.

Tourists appeared thrilled.

"We came to Sandakphu not expecting snowfall in November. Everything looks so surreal suddenly. It's beautiful,” said Biswash Mondal, a tourist from Garia in Calcutta.

Stakeholders in the tourism industry are hoping for a good winter season this year.

"Tourist footfall during the Puja period was good but not extraordinary. We, however, feel that the winter season will be better than last year. Snow is always an attraction,” said a hotelier.

The Darjeeling Police is also organising the Darjeeling MELOtea festival from December 19 this year.

"December looks promising but Darjeeling needs to be promoted during January and February more,” the hotelier added.

Many in the tourism sector believe that Christmas and the New Year season ensure tourist footfall during December.

"However, January and February are lean seasons for us. Hopefully, it will snow then as well and will attract more tourists,” said the hotelier.