By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: On Monday the temperature suddenly plunged below the mean temperature recorded during the last couple of weeks. According to weather experts cold waves have hit every part of the country, barring the western region. Cold waves are also looming over the North Eastern region including Meghalaya.
The sunny spell experienced over the past month suddenly disappeared with 2011. On Monday the weather was thick with fog and biting winds accompanied by rains throughout the day.
The Met Office reported rainfall at a few places. The forecast for Tuesday is cloudy skies with rainfall in some places in the state. The rain started at about 11 pm on Sunday night and continued till midday on Monday when 2.5mm of rainfall was recorded in the State.
A senior official of the MET department said this inclement weather was caused due to cyclonic circulation over Meghalaya and other neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, dense fog gripped the entire Shillong city and its adjoining areas on Monday evening. Tourists and local residents chose to remain indoors in the warmth of their blankets than venture out.
“This is the coldest day of the season so far,” said a state government employee on Monday evening after returning from work. Even vehicles had to have their headlights and fog lights on during the evening as visibility was very low. “The fog is pretty dense and driving is not easy,” said the driver of a police vehicle.
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati has predicted that rain or thundershowers could occur at many places in the region in the coming days while weather experts have warned that cold waves would hit the state and plunge the temperature below normal.
The temperature recorded on Monday was 12 degree Celsius (maximum) and a minimum of 7.6 degree Celsius.
Sohra, the wettest place on earth recorded maximum temperature of 15.8 degree Celsius and minimum of 8.9 degrees Celsius.
Similarly, Umiam which lies alongside the lake, recorded a maximum temperature of 13.8 degree Celsius and minimum of 8.4 degree Celsius.