Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 22: The coastal districts are undergoing cold winter weather, which is uncommon here. For the last few days, the minimum temperature has been gradually declining. The rainfall in the twin-districts has almost come to a standstill. The farmers who were overwhelmed with the unending rainfall are a bit relieved now. Because of the extension of the rainy season, the winter's arrival was delayed.
During November, people experienced severe cold for two to three days after which because of rain, the chill was driven away. Even though the early mornings are very cold, the sunshine which starts at 9 am and persists till the sunset also is very strong.
In the afternoons, the sun shines brightly, allowing the areca nut farmers to breathe easy. Dewdrops start to accumulate in the evening. Because of early morning fog, the people, particularly those habituated to taking early morning walks, shiver in the cold. The night travel through the ghat areas including Charmadi and Shiradi, has become difficult because of thick fog. The minimum temperature is reaching 18 to 20 degree Celsius with villages experiencing about 18 degree Celsius and cities hovering around 20. This is quite comfortable taking into account the fact that Bidar is going through a cold wave with minimum temperature plummeting to 9.4 degree Celsius.
At the same time, the noons in the west coast of the state are hot with bright sunshine. Maximum temperature is about 33 degree Celsius. This time, the coastal residents are spared of the harshness of sunshine which they used to witness during the winter months, resulting in maximum temperatures in October and November touching 36 to 38 degree Celsius in previous years.
Post monsoon rainfall this time touched 8.18 cm as compared to the normal 3.73 cm. The rainfall was recorded 120 to 140 percent more than usual, and it continued till December first week. Because of heavy rainfall, there has been a delay in the flowering of cashew and mango trees. The farmers who undertake Rabi season paddy cultivation say that if the weather is cold, the yield gets better.
Winter chill has set in Mangaluru and Udupi cities too. As per the assessment of the meteorological department, this weather will persist and the chilly mornings will continue for some more days and the temperature might come down further.