Aizawl experiences hottest day on Apr 23, max in 12 years

Aizawl, Apr 25 (UNI) The capital town of Mizoram on April 23 has experienced the hottest day in the last 12 years with mercury going upto 34 degrees Celsius, Science and Technology wing under the state planning department said today.

''Compared to the normal temperature of Aizawl it is alarmingly high,'' an official of the wing said.

Padmashree C Rokhuma, who has been conducting his private observatory since 1991, was also of the opinion that Aizawl, known for its moderate climate, is getting hotter every year.

He also warned that the temperature here had already increased by 2.7 degrees, whereas scientists had predicted that the global temperature would increase from 0.6 degrees to 2.5 degrees in 50 years.

On January 29 last the town recorded a maximum temperature of 7.7 degrees Celsius.

''Normally in April, there is heavy rainfall in Mizoram but this year we have experienced only 44.9 mm so far,''82-year-old Rokhuma said.

Principal Scientific Officer Dr Vanlalzara had, however, attributed large-scale deforestation as the major reason for the spurt in temperature.

''There used to be snowfalls during winters earlier. Now it is a thing of past,'' Dr Vanlalzara lamented.

UNI ZS PP SW HT1830