For the second time this winter, a hail storm covered most of Shillong today afternoon, knocking out electricity and causing traffic jams, though some people enjoyed the unusual experience.
While some people braved the weather and came out to take photographs and enjoy the scenic beauty caused by the weather event, especially in areas like Golf Links, the hail and freezing rain disrupted business, especially for street vendors in areas like Khyndailad, Motphran and Polo.
Some parts of the city also saw localised flooding as the hail blocked drainage, causing an extra headache for vehicles, who already had to manoeuvre gingerly on the slippery ice. The local football league also saw a disruption with today’s match called off because of the weather.
Some, however, did enjoy the spectacle.
K Khan, secretary of the Shillong Golf Club, described the golf course turning white in January as something phenomenal.
“We are witnessing something very phenomenal here today. We don’t know whether climate change caused this but this is something amazing and beautiful that does not happen every day,” he told Highland Post.
He described it as a wonderful feeling to see people coming out of their homes and braving the cold weather to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.
Meanwhile, some tourists who were at the course today said that they came to Shillong as it is known as the Scotland of the East and they were not disappointed by the captivating sight.
