SHILLONG: Temperature is rising in Shillong and it is the recurring topic of discussion by residents of the hill city.
On Thursday, the maximum day temperature was 26.5 degree Celsius, which was a departure from the normal 23 degree Celsius, according to official weather data.
The minimum was 18.8 degree Celsius.
On Wednesday, the city recorded 26.6 degree Celsius maximum and the minimum stood at 18.9 degree Celsius.
Sanjay Bist, a scientist of the meteorological department, Upper Shillong, admitted that the city received less rainfall compared to other parts of the country which added to the current climatic condition.
For the last one week, the weather condition was by and large humid coupled with intermittent drizzle.
The maximum temperature hovered around 26.5 degree Celsius. Though rain may bring down the heat, Bist advocated tree plantation in parts of the city to reduce the heat.
Rapid urbanisation and construction of concrete buildings by cutting down trees have affected the temperature. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest C P Marak said the forest area controlled by the government, like the Shillong peak, still maintains strict vigil and there is no tree felling.
However, the state government manages only 5 per cent of the total forest cover and others are either community or individual owned and managed by district councils. “The green forest cover is very much essential for the salubrious climatic condition,” Marak said. He deplored that several areas in the city are alarmingly becoming concrete jungles which only emit heat and he called for change of mindset of the people. The HC of Meghalaya had prevented rampant tree cutting and a case in this regard is pending in the court.
