Rainfall accompanied by a sudden hailstorm in parts of Nagaland on Monday provided relief to residents after a lengthy dry spell affecting the northeastern state.
The sudden downpour lashed areas like Kohima, Dimapur, Tseminyu, and Wokha, and lasted around 40 minutes, reports said.
Hailstones, roughly the size of marbles, prompted many people to stay indoors while the storm raged.
Strong gusty winds, reaching speeds of up to about 19 kmph, further intensified the conditions. Reportedly, several natural water sources had dried up due to the dry spell since the end of October.
However, the rain refreshed dried-up natural water sources and temporarily eased the water scarcity caused by the extended drought.
Residents in many areas welcomed the sudden change in weather, with photos and videos showing residents enjoying the rare weather phenomena have circulated widely on social media.
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Persistent cloud cover and rainfall led to a noticeable drop in temperatures, while indoor humidity levels ranged between 65% and 75% during the day.
Weather experts say such abrupt changes are common in March, as Nagaland gradually shifts from the dry winter phase to the pre-monsoon season. During this period, warmer daytime conditions and increasing moisture in the atmosphere often lead to convective activity, resulting in thunderstorms, lightning, and sometimes hail, particularly across the hill districts.
