Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 12
Despite intervening rainfalls, Nagaland has been experiencing an unusual heat wave since the last week of July with the maximum temperature hovering above the normal historical average, particularly in Dimapur.
The commercial capital of Nagaland is generally considered as one of the hottest places in the state.
According to private weather forecaster AccuWeather, the hottest day this month so far in Dimapur was on August 8, when the maximum temperature was 39˚C; it was followed by 38˚C on August 6, and 37˚August 7&10. Every day in August, the minimum temperatures hovered above 27˚ C.
The historical average maximum and minimum temperatures during the same periods according to AccuWeather were 32˚/26˚C respectively.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) regional forecast on August 12 put the maximum temperature of 36˚C for Dimapur on August 12, while it was 31.6 in Kohima and 30˚C in Mokokchung.
Due to high relative humidity, however, most felt much hotter than the actual temperature. Relative humidity was high as 90% in Dimapur on August 12, as per weather.com.
It is quite unbearable and since most people are not venturing out, business has been affected, an autorickshaw driver complained.
Similar comment was made by a shopkeeper in Tajen Ao Road, adding such ‘heat’ in August was unusual. Ice-cream vendors and other cold drinks sellers, however, informed of higher sale in Dimapur.
A spell of rain on Monday evening bought down the heat a bit and there might be some relief from the weather in the coming days.
However, in the coming days, there might be some relief from the heat as in all the places,the IMD’s 7 Day's Forecast has predicted likelihood of either “cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain” or “thundershowers” from August 12-18.
Maximum temperature in Dimapur as a result, is expected to fall to 34˚C on August 13 and 33˚C the next day. In Kohima and Mokokchung, the maximum temperature is expected to fall below 30 in the coming days.
Most forecasters have predicted that similar conditions to prevail throughout the month.
