January 24: The capital Thimphu, Paro, Bumthang, Trongsa and other northern dzongkhags received the first snowfall of the year yesterday.

Government offices and institutions in these dzongkhags remained closed on the occasion of the first snowfall of the year.

In the capital, unlike the past few years, the snowfall this time lasted the whole day and the whole valley was covered by a thick blanket of snow.

Children and the youth played in the snow hitting passersby with snowball and making huge snowmen.

Snowfall is welcomed especially by farmers in the kingdom as a promise of bountiful harvest later during the year.

In the villages, children go from house to house singing Lolay, a song wishing the families health and happiness and bountiful harvest.

Abundant snowfall is believed to be good for crops. It is also believed to reduce diseases like cold and cough.