Balat, Meghalaya | Jan 3, 2026: Cold weather in the Balat border area has drawn attention in recent days due to an unusual pattern being experienced mainly during night hours. While daytime conditions remain largely normal, residents, passersby, and travellers say the cold becomes noticeably intense between 1:30 AM and 4:30 AM, creating a situation that many say they have not experienced before in this region.
The night-time cold is being felt uniformly across all villages along the border belt, covering the entire border area of East and South West Khasi Hills. After midnight, the air turns colder and heavier, creating a damp atmosphere that lasts until early morning. Locals confirm that daily activities during the daytime are not affected, as temperatures rise once the day begins.
Night travel has become slower and more careful due to dense fog and reduced visibility, especially for vehicles passing through the area. During midnight hours, fog thickens to the point where headlights of cars and bikes do not clearly show the road ahead. Drivers say the light spreads within the fog, making road details harder to see. Many passersby say this combination of cold and fog is unfamiliar, even though winter cold itself is not new to the region.
Despite the intense cold at night, no frost formation has been observed. Instead, moisture in the air condenses into fine water droplets that collect on vehicles, rooftops, plants, and road surfaces. Several people describe the sensation as similar to light drizzling, even though there is no rainfall. By early morning, roads often appear wet.
Although daytime life continues normally, residents note that sunlight has remained weak for several days, with cloudy skies and lingering haze preventing strong sunshine. While this has not caused disruption, it has contributed to an overall cooler feel throughout the day.
Border security personnel continue their night duties despite foggy conditions, adjusting movements to reduced visibility along border routes.
Residents and travellers say that winter cold is expected in the region, but the combination of intense night cold, dense fog, and moisture during midnight hours feels unusual and different from previous seasons.
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