Guwahati is reeling under heat wave condition recording an above normal maximum temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius since Monday when it was the highest in the last 15 years forcing people to remain indoors to avoid the sizzling heat.
Regional Meteorology Centre sources here on Tuesday said the 40.1°C temperature was due to westerly hot winds from the Gangetic plains in the lower atmosphere with no moisture feed from the Bay of Bengal to trigger rainfall.
The capital city had for the first time experienced such a temperature on April 17, 1999 recording the heat wave conditions of above 40°C maximum temperature and five degrees above normal temperature, the sources said.
Guwahati’s normal temperature at this time of the year is an average 31°C, they said.
With Assam experiencing hot weather condition, the sources said the mercury was rising also in the Northeast region with little change in the weather forecast for the next two days.
The movement of people on the roads was also noticed to be much below normal with them preferring to remain indoors until needed to go out.
For hydration under the scorching sun people are heading for aerated cold drinks, ice-creams, fruit and sugarcane juice, tender coconut water and other cooling beverages giving brisk business to the vendors of these items.
The prevailing power cuts and unscheduled load-shedding in Assam is also adding to the woes of the people here not normally used to such a high temperature.
This prompted Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to review the prevailing power position and direct the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to take immediate steps to meet the shortfall of power.
APDCL Chairman Rajiv Yadav apprised Mr. Gogoi that due to drought-like conditions prevailing in the northeast, Assam is not receiving adequate power from the hydro power generating stations of Ranganadi, Kopili, Khandong, Doyang, Loktak and others due to low water level in the reservoirs creating a shortfall of about 275 MW.
