Shillong sizzles at 29.1 degrees

SHILLONG: Shillong on Friday witnessed one of the hottest days till date with the maximum temperature touching 29.1 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature was 20 degrees.
Friday’s mercury level was the fifth highest temperature ever recorded in the Pine City, only bettered by a reading of 30.2 degrees in April 1973, 29.7 degrees in June 1999 and 29.5 degrees recorded twice – in May 1979 and April 2014.
Standing at an altitude of 1496 metres above the mean sea level, Shillong had always carried the tag of being a city with natural air conditioning, attracting thousands of tourists on a daily basis.
The problem has been compounded due to insufficient rainfall in the state. Meghalaya has received 35% deficient rain this year compared to normal.
Friday’s mercury level in Shillong was higher than most hill stations in the north and northeastern parts of the country.
Shillong was hotter on Friday than Gangtok (27.1), Nainital (26.7), Shimla (25.6), Mussoorie (25.3), Darjeeling (25.0) and Manali (24.2), as per the website of the India Meteorological Department.
The IMD website adds that temperature in the city for the next few days will continue to hover between 26 and 28 degrees.