Dimapur sizzles under blistering heat, power shortages add to woes

DIMAPUR — Dimapur has been experiencing a relentless rise in temperatures over the past week, leaving residents grappling with scorching daytime and night-time conditions. The heatwave, which began on May 19, intensified on Sunday, with the mercury reaching a blistering 36° Celsius in the afternoon.

The Soil and Water Conservation department recorded the highest temperatures of the week on May 24 and 25, reaching 37° Celsius and 37.2° Celsius respectively.

Amid this sweltering heat, on Sunday, Nagaland saw a power demand of 168.1 megawatts, while the availability stood at 134.1 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 34.0 MW, as citizens complain over frequent power cuts.

This ‘excessive heat’ has also led to a drought-like situation, particularly in Dimapur and the frequent power cuts have also placed a heavy burden on the business community and students.

However, a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places in Nagaland, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places from May 27 to the 28th. This much-needed precipitation is expected to bring respite from the oppressive heat.

The IMD’s monthly outlook for May 2024 indicates that above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, except for most parts of northeast India, some parts of northwest and central India, and adjoining areas of northeast peninsular India where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are expected.

In the northeast, the IMD forecasted light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places across Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura on May 27 and the 28th.