TURA: The week-long intense cold wave that engulfed the Garo Hills region has led to record drop in temperatures with the coldest day being recorded on early Thursday morning outside of Tura.
Thursday morning, between 1 and 3 AM, recorded the lowest drop in temperature- 2 degree celsius at Ganol village near Goeragre.
Less than two degrees to touch the minus temperature, the drastic drop was recorded at the field station of the Rubber Board Research Institute located at Ganol, near Rongram.
The research station, equipped with state of the art instruments and equipments to monitor hot and cold temperature (Calorimeter), rain gauge (Udometer) and other machines has been meticulously keeping a record of every day temperature for over 25 long years. It was established after the rubber Board was established in the Garo Hills in the 1980s’.
Temperatures had plummeted across the region beginning 19th January following light showers and fog that hit the north-east. Despite the rains giving way to sunshine, temperatures continued to drop for most part of the week as the lowest celsius hovered in single digits late in the night.
While the average day temperature was 16 degree celsius the bone-biting cold was felt the most after the stroke of midnight.
While pre-dawn temperature on Thursday touched 2 degree celsius, the temperature has since risen a notch or two higher. Friday and Saturday pre-dawn temperatures were recorded at 4 degree celsius.
With Ganol area reeling under an intense cold, the weather scenario also underwent a drastic transformation in Tura where lowest temperature during the week was recorded at 9 degree celsius.
Under intense cold, commuters have been moving with woollies wrapped around wearing gloves and warm caps to beat the chill. There has also been a drop in movement of people in the streets after nightfall due to the bitter cold. The good news, though, is that temperatures are expected to gradually rise in the coming week.
