Guwahati, Jan. 10: Pleasant weather has been forecast in the run-up to uruka and Bhogali Bihu though squalls accompanied by hailstorms lashed isolated places of the state yesterday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has predicted dry and nippy weather characterised by hazy skies and dense fog in parts of Assam in the run-up to the festival. "By and large there will be no rain in the state but the sky will remain hazy in the run-up to and during Bhogali Bihu. The squall accompanied by hailstorm yesterday was caused by western disturbances with a trough seen from Bhutan to north Bay of Bengal," Sunit Das, a meteorologist at the Borjhar-based Met office, told The Telegraph today.
Temperatures in and around Guwahati have come down considerably in the past few days with light showers occurring at isolated places of the city yesterday afternoon. The weather has been pleasant today with an early-morning nip followed by mild sunshine setting the tone for Magh Bihu, which is just four days away.
The mean minimum temperatures in Assam recorded by the Met office during December last year were higher than those during the corresponding period in 2014. "However, few day-to-day variations have been recorded when we compare the December mercury levels," Das said.
The mean minimum temperatures in Assam during the first 10 days of January this year were marginally lower than those in the corresponding period of last year.
"There is a slight indication of rain, mainly in Upper Assam, on January 17 and 18, but in general, the weather will be sunny and dry till January 16," Das said.
The by and large "no-rain" forecast will certainly bring cheers here as people look to keep their bhela ghar (a traditional house made of bamboo, hay/banana leaf and wood for feasting on uruka night) and meji (dome-like structure that is lit for prayers the day after uruka) dry.
"The meji and bhela ghar need to stay nice and dry for them to burn bright after uruka. This time, our club supported by residents of almost five villages, is setting up a 125-foot tall meji at Borkuchi-Sontola Chowk near Mirza in south Kamrup. As it is, this will be one of the tallest mejis in the area and we expect people to come out in large numbers for the rituals the day after uruka," said Indrajit Deka, the vice-president of Gob Sab Club.
