Aizawl records highest temp in 20 years, cyclone hits

The capital city of Mizoram on Monday experienced its hottest day in 20 years as the mercury soared to 34.2 degrees Celsius, an official said.

Temperatures are being recorded in the state since 1999, and the maximum temperature that was recorded before Monday, was on a day in April 2015 when it rose to 34.1 degrees Celsius, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Mizoram Directorate of Science and technology, Dr R K Lallianthanga, said.

While the maximum temperature recorded in Aizawl on Monday was 34.2 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature was 17.8 degrees Celsius, Lallianthanga said, adding, the maximum and minimum temperatures in the city on Sunday were 34.1 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius respectively.

The city virtually turned into a boiling cauldron on Sunday and Monday, an official said, adding, the people of Aizawl are not used to such weather conditions since they live on hilltops.

The official also said that the sweltering heat would be much more in low-lying areas of the state.

Temperature over 32 degrees Celsius is regarded almost unbearable in this hilly state where the average temperature is generally between 11 and 21 degrees Celsius during winter and between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius during summer, the official added.

Meanwhile, around 100 houses were reportedly damaged by a strong cyclone that hit areas near the Mizoram-Assam border on Monday, officials said.

Vairengte town, along National Highway 54 bordering Assam's Cachar district was the worst hit where a total of 40 houses were damaged, they said.

Various electric poles and mobile phone towers in and around the town were uprooted also, an official said.

A number of villages - Bilkhawthlir, Saipum and Phainuam - were hit by the cyclone.

We are waiting for detailed reports, the official said.