Gangtok sizzles at 27°C, hottest June in 45 years

PANKAJ DHUNGEL

GANGTOK, : Gangtok recorded a temperature of 27°C on Monday, the highest for the city in 45 years since June 24, 1979, informed Gopinath Raha, Director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). However, he clarified that the conditions do not qualify as a heatwave.

“A heatwave in a hill station is declared only when the temperature crosses 30°C with a minimum 5°C departure from the normal. Gangtok is currently hot and humid, but not under heatwave conditions,” Raha said.

Tadong, meanwhile, recorded a staggering 32.1°C, the highest ever in June. A similar peak of 32°C was observed on the same date in 2018.

While much of India experiences peak heat in March-April, North Bengal and Sikkim typically see warmer days during the monsoon months of July and August. June usually remains cooler due to regular rainfall, but this year, a dry spell followed the early monsoon onset on May 29. With reduced moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal, cloud formation stalled, leading to increased solar radiation and daytime temperatures.

Meteorologists expect the ongoing evening thunderstorms to gradually bring relief, lowering temperatures and reviving rainfall in the coming days.