Guwahati: The assam capital saw temperatures soaring this week

Guwahati: The Assam capital has witnessed a significant spike in temperatures this week, causing discomfort across the city and affecting the entire Northeastern region. The unseasonably high temperatures have led many to question the cause behind the rise in heat during a time when cooler weather is typically expected.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures in Guwahati have surged by 5 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal in recent days. This heatwave is primarily attributed to a lack of adequate rainfall, which is predicted to continue in the coming days.
In the Kamrup Metropolitan district, which includes Guwahati, temperatures soared to record-breaking levels. The AWS recorded a scorching 45.9°C at Gauhati University and 40.7°C within the city. The highest daytime temperature ever recorded in Guwahati since 1951 remains 40.6°C, observed on April 24, 2014.
The IMD has forecast hot and humid weather conditions for Assam over the next 48 hours. An official bulletin from the department indicated that due to prevailing clear to partly cloudy skies and high solar insolation during the day, maximum temperatures are expected to exceed 35°C in several areas of Assam. This rise will likely be 4°C to 5°C above normal for some districts in the plains.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms and lightning are forecasted to occur at isolated places across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, offering some respite to the region.
The weather outlook for Guwahati suggests partly cloudy skies with a possibility of thunderstorms and lightning. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 37°C and 26°C, respectively.
With temperatures soaring, one might expect a corresponding increase in sales of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. However, local retailers report a surprising trend. Business Northeast spoke with the managers of Electrocity and Reliance Digital to assess whether the rising heat had boosted sales. Contrary to expectations, both stores saw a decline in sales for these appliances in September 2024.
When asked about the possible reasons for the dip, store managers suggested that customers might be postponing their purchases, anticipating cooler winter weather just around the corner. Additionally, many consumers prefer to wait for the upcoming end-of-season sales, where large discounts are typically offered.
As a result, both retailers reported a 5 percent decrease in sales compared to September 2023, despite the heatwave. The trend defies expectations in a month marked by unusual weather conditions.
As Guwahati continues to grapple with rising temperatures, the region remains on high alert for potential storms in the coming days. Meanwhile, local businesses are feeling the unexpected impact of consumer habits influenced by both weather and the anticipation of winter sales.