ROURKELA: With buyers jostling at his shop, Dhondup hurriedly finishes his lunch and begins attending them. Taking a small break Dhondhup looks relaxed with his fears giving way to hope of better sale, thanks to the chill that has set in.
Winter finally heralded its arrival, late though, with the minimum temperature recorded at 11.4 degree Celsius way below the 22.6 degrees recorded a week ago. The maximum day temperature on Monday stood at 26.6 degrees with Sundargarh district residents heaving a sigh of relief.
In fact, the prolonged summer condition was threatening to replace winter till it rained on November 17.
The shower triggered the arrival of cold climate with mercury taking a downward plunge by over five degrees the next day. Sources said temperature in the interior and forested pockets of the district witnessed a couple of degrees less than that of urban areas.
Meanwhile, the onset of winter has pushed up the demand for winter garments.
Till recently all small and big outlets with stacks of winter garments were worried with no takers in sight. However, things changed for the best, said, Manu Sharma, a woollens vendor at Uditnagar here. ‘‘The sales have gone up favourable in the last five days’’, Manu added. If market places housing winter garment outlets are abuzz with activities, the makeshift winter wear hubs set up by Tibetians are not to be left behind. Over the years during winter the vendors from Tibet have made it a point to visit the city for business.