Shillong, Nov 11: In a weather spectacle, Shillong had a snowfall-like appearance as hailstorm lashed the city on Wednesday
Patches of roads, footpaths, parked vehicles and rooftops were covered in small hailstones that struck between around 11 am and noon after dark clouds hovered over the city.
Heavy rain followed, with hailstones falling across several localities. The sudden change in weather caught residents and visitors by surprise, with many taking out their mobile phones to capture the unusual sight.
In some places, hailstones accumulated along roadsides and open spaces, creating a white covering that reminded residents of snowfall in Kashmir.
The spell of rain and hail also brought a noticeable chill to the city.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) evening weather report, Shillong recorded 28.4 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 2.30 pm on Wednesday. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 20.5°C and a minimum of 12°C.
Barapani received 33 mm of rainfall during the same period, while Sohra recorded 5.2 mm.
The Meteorological Centre in Shillong has warned of thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph and hail at isolated places in Meghalaya. Light to moderate rainfall is also likely at a few places in Shillong and neighbouring areas.
The weather warning map issued on November 11 showed a watch over several districts for November 12 to 15, indicating no weather warning for those days.
While the hailstorm lasted only for a short spell, it brought an unusual sight to Shillong, a city more accustomed to rain and mist than a sudden covering of hailstones.
For residents who witnessed the episode, Wednesday’s weather offered a brief taste of a snow-covered landscape, without the snow.
