AFTER reminding the harsh winter for past few days, the maximum and minimum temperature nosedived to spine chilling cold conditions across State on Monday. MeT Centre has informed that the cold wave like conditions persists in all districts under Surguja Division and in some pockets of Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur divisions on Monday. The lowest temperature -1 Degree Celsius - in the state was recorded at Agromet Filed Unit, Ambikapur. However, the overall lowest minimum temperature 4.9 degrees was also recorded at Ambikapur closely followed by Durg 5.4 degrees and Pendra Road 5.7 degrees. The highest drop in minimum temperature i.e. 8 degrees below normal was recorded at Durg while Bilaspur recorded 6 degrees below normal at 7.0 degrees. Though the maximum and minimum temperature were recorded below 3 degrees below normal for the first time, the temperature slipped below 10 degrees mark this season in capital Raipur, recording minimum temperature at 9.5 degrees. Among the twin cities, Bhilai also touched the 9.5 degree mark.

 

No sooner evening descends, cool breeze brings shivering moments to bones of many whether the young ones or the veterans. And if weathermen are to be believed the sudden change of climate will continue to prevail with further dip in temperature. The cold breezy conditions brought cheers among the denizens of capital Raipur and nearby areas, but the older generation restrained from taking any risk and avoided exposure to the chilling conditions. The change of climate has at least brought a ray of hope for Tibetan people, who had been camping in capital for selling woolen-wear, much before the advent of winter. Just couple of days ago, the temperature rise had spread the fear of losses after two years of no business during the COVID-19. So much so that, the woolen wear sellers had even planned to float discounted rates for stock clearance purpose, but the arrival of winter has brought cheers back to their faces and they are looking forward for doing a brisk business. Weatherman said that with the change in direction of wind pattern from Northerly direction has brought down the temperature significantly in State. The snow fall recorded in Northern states and extreme winter conditions in the upper reaches of Himalayas has induced chilly conditions that carries its impact while blowing to the Central part of the country including Chhattisgarh. The chilly condition is expected to continue with MeT Centre warning of cold wave conditions in some pockets in State on December 21. The weather will be dry across the state while sky will be mainly clear over Raipur on Tuesday.