By our reporter
Shillong: No sooner have the rains stopped when the mercury has soared to a high of over 25 degrees at about 1.30 pm on Monday, thereby making Shilling as hot or humid as Guwahati on a given day. At this rate the city might lose its hill station status – a unique selling point that it used to enjoy.
Meteriologists and scientists spoken to have attributed this sudden rise in day temperature to the depleting green cover around the city and the proliferation of high rise concrete buildings which defy the green building norms and retain a lot of heat.
A study of the air pollution in and around Shillong conducted by the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research, Guwahati has also shown high levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM) owing to vehicular emissions.
The number of vehicles registered in East Khasi Hills District stand at 93,575 of which 70 per cent (65502) ply in Shillong city alone. In addition to this, the number of trucks from outside, which criss-cross the city on a daily basis make the situation look grim. Even though coal trucks have been diverted to the Shillong bypass, other trucks carrying food grains to the FCI go downs and oil tankers continue to pass through the city.
A dormant State Pollution Board only adds to the problems. The Board has not been seen conducting checks on air pollution levels in the city or warning the public of the dangers of high SPM and RSPM in the air.
Pulmonologists (physicians dealing with lung and respiratory disease) associate the growing number of asthma and bronchitis cases, especially among children, to this high level of soot and SPM which are emitted by vehicles, especially those fuelled by diesel.
