K'pong cold hits students, tourists alike

SNS, KALIMPONG, 18 DECEMBER 2018: As students from outside studying in schools in Kalimpong prepare to leave home for the much-awaited winter break and plan for last minute shopping to take souvenirs from K-town, and tourists try to go on a sightseeing tour at the hilltops of Delo and Durpin, the sudden rainfall and the dip in the temperatures have scuttled all their plans. Also hit are local people, as they scurry to shop and make preparations for the fast approaching Christmas and New Year.

The severe cold wave that swept across the region to day affected tourists and their little children who were seen clinging to their elders in the bitter cold weather in the town today.

"This is the first time that we are witnessing such cold weather in Kalimpong. The town is otherwise known to have a warmer weather," a tourist said.

Covered from head to toe with only a small portion of her face showing from the jacket hoodie she had on, another tourist said she is liking the weather, but that her son is having problems.

"It is very cold here to day. It is good for me, but at the same time, the children are having a little problem in dealing with the weather. I am  loving it anyway,' she smailed, as she walked towards Main Road, carrying her son in her arms, and without an umbrella in the drizzle.

Another tourist from Bangalore said that he is witnessing the "grey clouds" hovering in the town for the first time. 'To be here in this weather with my entire family is one of the greatest feelings that I can have, as we never get to witness such weather in Bangalore —this is beautiful," he said.

On the other hand, Rajeev Ghosh, who wanted to travel to Delo, was held back in the town. He sipped hot coffee at an outlet here at Dambar Chowk instead.

"The cab driver said that there is no point visiting Delo and Durpin today as the fog is dense and the visibility is zero. It is very cold and all that we can do is drink hot beverages to keep ourselves warm .The weather is too cold for me, but this is one of my travel experiences, " Mr Ghosh said. Meanwhile, locals kept uttering 'Achoo,' even as they went on with their daily chores. 'Achoo' is a Nepali lingo that is used to express how extremely cold a person is feeling.