The inclement weather that persisted on Wednesday dampened the spirit of the New Year-eve revelry with many families preferring to stay indoors.
High wind speeds and intermittent drizzle played spoilsport with many New Year special events in the city witnessing a low turnout. The most affected were the outdoor events in some city hotels, giving edgy moments to hoteliers who were hoping to end the New Year on a positive note after a dull business post Hudhud. After hours of deliberation, some events were shifted to indoor venues.
House parties remained a popular choice with many setting up barbeques in balconies and terraces to enjoy the weather and ring in the New Year with family and friends.
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From evening, people started pouring in at the Beach Road where traffic restrictions were imposed well ahead of the scheduled time. Festive spirit soared high at midnight on the Beach Road with revellers exchanging New Year greetings with one another. Several apartment associations got together to ring in the New Year by hosting dinner get-together.
Hotels including Novotel, Ambica Sea Green, Gateway, The Park and Four Points organised special performances by dancers, singers and DJs. The party animals, albeit in small numbers, hung around the hotels and the beachside to raise a toast to the New Year. Most revellers preferred to be part of the events that were held at indoor venues. At the stroke of midnight, fireworks lit up the skies signifying the beginning of the year 2015.