Record rain on Lohri fest, youngsters disappointed

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 13

The city witnessed a record rainfall of 12.4 mm today, on the day of Lohri. This has been the highest rainfall on Lohri in the past four or five decades.

The intermittent rain which started in the morning dampened the spirits of children and youngsters who failed to celebrated the festival in true manner, by flying kites and dancing to the tunes of traditional song “Sunder Mundriye”.

Dr KK Gill, Agrometeorologist at Punjab Agriculture University, said the city witnessed a record rainfall on Lohri due to western disturbances. “With the rain, the day temperature fell five degrees below normal. It was recorded at 13 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 10 degrees Celsius, which is above normal. Tomorrow, there may be fog but rain is not likely,” said Dr Gill.

Meanwhile, children and youngsters were disappointed as they failed to fly kites, a tradition on Lohri, today due to intermittent rain and fog. Adarsh, a 14-year-old school student, said he had spent Rs 1,200 on kites and string but was not able to fly them because of bad weather conditions. “Never to date have I seen this much rain on Lohri. We fail to understand how we will light a bonfire if it continues raining,” he said.

Meanwhile, thick blanket of fog had engulfed the region throughout the day, and drivers had to switch the head-lights on during daytime.

Lohri revelers said they had arranged for small get-togethers, DJ system on the rooftops, but no plans could be matured as weather played a spoilsport. As the maximum temperature fell once again, the residents had to brave severe cold, and most of them preferred to remain indoors.

Satwinder Kaur, a resident of Ghumar Mandi, said: “After waiting for long for the rain to stop, we moved to the market to buy items required for Lohri ‘puja’. The bonfire is a great respite from freezing cold. We had to make a small bonfire under a shed,” she said.