Hailstorm lashes Nagaland

Four days after high intensity earthquake with epicenter at Tamenglong, Manipur jolted the north east, a hail storm on Saturday hit Nagaland, particularly Dimapur, and brought down the mercury to low levels.
Rains on Friday night in Dimapur city, brought down the mercury level to around 15 ºC and by Saturday, overcast skies loomed large. Heavy rains followed by hailstorm hit the commercial hub at around 1.30 p.m. causing water logging in several areas.
The hailstorm lasted several minutes and damages if any, to crops, was yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report. Sources in the Meteorological Department said the hail storm was due to cyclonic circulation arising from Bay of Bengal.
It was the first time Dimapur experienced a heavy hailstorm in as many winter months.  The temperature of Dimapur on Saturday plunged to 12ºC , with 93 percent relative humidity before the storm. The down pour on Saturday also brought a natural relief to the ‘dusty city’ after it cleaned up dust on roads and streets.
According to meteorological reports for Monday ,dense to very dense fog very likely at isolated pockets in the north east, including Nagaland. Good rain and thundershowers was also being observed over parts of northeastern states. Scattered light to moderate rain and thundershowers will continue over Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland.
According to Skymet Weather, the fresh rain activity can be attributed to easterly movement of Western Disturbance. After affecting the hills of North India, Western Disturbance generally divides into two parts. Out of this, one travels north of Himalayas while, the other moves along the foothills of Himalayas affecting Sikkim, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and northeastern region.
Moreover, a feeble cyclonic circulation prevailing over the region has also contributed towards the recent activity.
Light to moderate showers to continue over Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for another 24 hours. Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya are also likely to receive scattered rain during this time period.