Koraput: With a thick blanket of hailstones spreading over several parts of Damanjodi in Koraput district, people in the southern belt experienced a Kashmir-like climate on Wednesday.
The afternoon sprung up a surprise for the heat struck locals when Nor'wester rains accompanied with wind and hailstorm left behind a trail of ice chunks in the in four to five kilometers stretch from Bhejaguda near Damanjodi to Lichiguda.
“Adding to the magic was the sound of hailstorms falling on the rooftops. It lasted for about an hour. I have been staying here for over 15 years now and never have I witnessed such a sight,” said Subhashree Dalai, a resident.
Roads, paddy fields and rail tracks were coated with a generous layer of hail as excited locals thronged to the stretch to witness the rare sight.
Meanwhile, the temperatures in different parts of the district dropped by several degrees.