Cyclonic storm ''Rashmi'' causes heavy rains in NE

Guwahati, Oct 27 (UNI) The cyclonic storm ''Rashmi'' over the Bay of Bengal triggered heavy rain and gusty winds along with sudden dip in temperatures across the North East, the Meteorological department said here today.

The cyclonic storm crossed the Bangladesh coast last night and lay centred at North Bangladesh and adjoining Meghalaya, 220 kms southwest of its capital city Shillong this morning, Met department sources informed.

''The storm has weakened into a depression and is moving further towards north-south,'' the sources added.

This has resulted in heavy rain in most parts of NE, with Shillong recording the highest rainfall of 111 mm, followed by Cherrapunjee with 105 mm, Kohima 45 mm, Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) 43 mm, Guwahati 38 mm and Agartala 35 mm.

The Met office has warned of heavy to very heavy rain in the next couple of days over Manipur, South Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, with gusty winds speed reaching 50-60 kmph likely over South Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Further fall in temperatures has been forecast after October 29 as cool north-westerly winds from Himalayas are likely to invade the region.

The day temperatures had dipped since yesterday across the region, with maximum temperature falling by an average of almost six degrees Celsius and the minimum by two degrees Celsius.

UNI SG DPM SV AS1523