Shillong chill back as temperature nears zero

SHILLONG/TURA: After a disappointing December, Shillong is finally feeling the winter chill after New Year.
Temperatures dipped suddenly after the rain and hail last week with the India Meteorological Department Guwahati website showing the Sunday minimum at 0.8°C, five notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 14.5°C.
The maximum and minimum temperatures on Monday will be 15°C and 2°C, respectively, according to the Met office.
The sudden change in mercury level has taken citizens by surprise but many locals are happy about the “real winter” in Shillong. “This is what winter feels like in Shillong. We are experiencing near zero temperature after a long time,” said D Kharsati, a professional. Roads were almost deserted as many people preferred to spend the evening indoors. Those who ventured out braving the cold were sheathed in layers of warm clothes.
Garo Hills too recorded a drastic change in weather. The region has been reeling from cold wave for the past three days.
Night temperatures have dropped to single digits in Tura and on the outskirts and weather data showed that Saturday night was by far the coldest in the last one year. Ganol region recorded temperature of around 6°C.
In Tura, temperature dropped to 8°C past midnight on Saturday.
Cold wind from the plains has aggravated the situation in the past five days.
On Sunday, streets of Tura wore a deserted look after 7.30pm. However, the Met department is expecting warmer conditions in the next few days.