Dimapur blazing; Kohima too feels the heat
Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | August 4
Balmy is how one would describe the summer in Kohima without the rains - an ideal place to escape the heat of the plains. August 3 in the state capital was however far from idyllic as the mercury shot up to touch a maximum temperature of 29-degree Celsius.
At an elevation of 1,444 m above sea level, the town experienced unusually warm weather the past 3 days unsettling the residents accustomed to summer temperatures that seldom go pass the 25-degree mark.
The daytime temperature peaked at 29 degrees on August 3 forcing many to remain indoors while those who did could not do so without umbrellas, an appliance normally associated with rain in Kohima.
“Because of the heat wave, I could not sleep till 12:00 last night,” was how a resident described the day. August 4 however proved to be a respite as the mercury dropped to the mid-20s.
The heat wave, according to some residents, was unprecedented. The ‘record’ high temperature gave rise to quite a many humorous internet meme with some sharing images in social media on how to beat the heat.
The unusually high temperature and unpredictable weather pattern has further raised concerns about a warming planet affecting Nagaland too.
According to meteorologists, erratic weather behaviour is an indicator of climate change worldwide. From unseasonal rain to warmer winters and hotter summers, the state has been experiencing unpredictable weather conditions the past few years.
Down in Dimapur, a place used to summer temperatures hovering between the mid to the high 30s. Weather portals indicated a maximum day temperature of 36 degrees on August 3 with the ‘Realfeel’ tipped at 45 degrees.
The ‘Realfeel’ was made even more discomforting by an unpredictable power situation with many localities experiencing frequent supply interruptions throughout the day and through the evening.
The terminology is used to describe a cumulative atmospheric experience brought on by the effects of temperature, humidity, sunshine etc or phenomena that affects how warm or cold a person feels.
August 4 was no different with the mercury well above 35 during the day while the night temperature hovered in the mid-20s.
Nature came to the rescue toward afternoon as a thick cloud blanketed sky bringing the mercury down a little. The forecast for August 5 tipped the maximum day temperature at 35-degree Celsius.
The heat affected normal day-to-day activities with people limiting outdoor activities and chores for the early hours and evening. A shopkeeper observed that business in the markets of Dimapur slowed during daytime the past 2-3 days.
The worst affected appear to be the students, vegetable vendors and rickshaw pullers.
“For the last 3-4 days, it has been like torture for us sitting whole day in the hot sun waiting for customers. Due to the extreme temperature, our sales have dipped down as we don’t get much customers these days,” said a woman vegetable vendor from Peren district, who runs a stall at Naga Shopping Arcade.
“My son complained that the fan in his classroom doesn’t function properly and that many of the students cannot pay heed to what the teacher said due to the intense heat. Also, I heard from parents of other schools that even the teachers themselves are performing perfunctory duty these days,” disclosed a parent of a student studying in a private school.
Another parent said the summer break for schools started and ended too early, especially for Dimapur district, and was of the view that the Nagaland School Education Board should fix separate holiday breaks for schools in Dimapur and other districts including Kohima.
“For the past three days, it has been impossible to paddle a rickshaw. Till this morning (Thursday), the weather was too hot but after the temperature dipped in the afternoon, I have pedalled for a few customers,” said a rickshaw puller stationed at Town Hall in Dimapur.
