SHILLONG: Shillong and other parts of the North East region are witnessing sudden rain and it may continue for a few more days.
Weather department officials said the rain is due to an east-west trough running from cyclonic circulation over South Bihar to Manipur at lower tropospheric level.
As per the data received from the Meteorological Centre, Shillong, the rain is very likely to continue till February 27 and reduce thereafter.
It was also informed that there is more probability of moderate rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday all over the North East including Shillong.
An east-west trough, extending upto 1.5 km above mean sea level, is running from cyclonic circulation over south Bihar to Manipur across West Bengal, Bangladesh and Meghalaya,” the data of the Met Centre said.
Apart from rainfall, the region may also witness lightning, thunderstorm and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) on Wednesday and Thursday.
Taking into account the weather condition, the East Khasi Hills District Disaster Management Authority has also issued an advisory on the do’s and don’ts for the people to follow during the adverse weather condition.
Many residents of the city believe that the weather pattern has definitely changed in Shillong over the last decade probably due to climate change.
Some residents recalled that winters in Shillong were unlike other places as winter days would be bright with sunshine but now the pattern has changed and the recent winter in Shillong was mostly cold and most time of the season, the city was under thick cover of fog unlike the past.
A data from the Met Centre, Shillong also indicates that the city continues to remain cold in winters though it was only once in 2018 that the temperature dipped to 0.7 degrees in last 5 years.
In December 2015, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 6.1 degree Celsius while the lowest minimum temperature was 2.7 degree Celsius.
In January 2016, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 5.0 Celsius while the lowest minimum temperature was 2.2 degree Celsius.
In December 2016, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 7.8 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 6 degree Celsius.
In January 2017, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 5.5 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 2degree Celsius.
In December 2017, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 6.8 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 5 degree Celsius.
In January 2018, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 2.9 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 0.7 Celsius.
In December 2018, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 6.7 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 3.8 degree Celsius.
In January 2019, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 6. 1 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 2.8 degree Celsius.
In December 2019, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 6.6 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 4.9 degree Celsius.
In January 2020, the average minimum temperature in Shillong was 8.8 degree Celsius while lowest minimum temperature was 1.2degree Celsius.
