Haflong
হাফলং | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Assam |
| District | Dima Hasao district |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.70 km2 (4.90 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 513 m (1,683 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 43,756 |
| • Density | 3,400/km2 (8,900/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Haflong Hindi language |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Telephone code | 03673 |
Haflong (Assamese: হাফলং) is a town and headquarters of Dima Hasao district in India in the state of Assam. It is the only hill station in Assam.[1]"Haflong" got its name from Dimasa word better known "Ha-floong" or "Hangkhlong" which means "Ant Hill". According to the Zeme Nagas( one of the earliest group to settle at Haflong areas) traditions the term 'Haflong' is derived from a person name Hamlong;the erstwhile landlord of Haflong areas.The term "Haflong" is even prominent in the clans of the Dimasas like "Haflongbar". According to some old people Haflong was given a name by the British, Half-Long to indicate half way from kamrup. Haflong hillstation is known for its beautiful landscapes, valleys, hills and mountains.
Geography
Haflong is located at Coord |25.18|N|9E. It has an average elevation of 513 metres (1683 feet).
Climate
Haflong has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa), falling just short of a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw).
| Climate data for Haflong | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 28.8 (83.8) |
25.2 (77.4) |
28.4 (83.1) |
29.0 (84.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
28.3 (82.9) |
26.5 (79.7) |
28.2 (82.8) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.3 (75.7) |
26.0 (78.8) |
18.1 (64.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 19.6 (67.3) |
20.2 (68.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
25.7 (78.3) |
24.9 (76.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.3 (72.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
20.7 (69.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) |
12.0 (53.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.7 (72.9) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
20.6 (69.1) |
21.7 (71.1) |
21.9 (71.4) |
16.7 (62.1) |
11.8 (53.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 3.7 (38.7) |
4.1 (39.4) |
6.3 (43.3) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.2 (55.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
18.4 (65.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
15.7 (60.3) |
10.6 (51.1) |
8.3 (46.9) |
5.0 (41.0) |
3.7 (38.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 11.9 (0.47) |
18.3 (0.72) |
55.8 (2.20) |
147.9 (5.82) |
244.2 (9.61) |
316.4 (12.46) |
345.4 (13.60) |
264.3 (10.41) |
185.9 (7.32) |
91.2 (3.59) |
18.7 (0.74) |
7.1 (0.28) |
0 (0) |
| Average rainy days | 1.8 | 2.9 | 5.8 | 13.1 | 17.0 | 19.6 | 22.3 | 18.5 | 15.2 | 7.4 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 127.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 69 | 55 | 47 | 48 | 55 | 51 | 53 | 52 | 53 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 53 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 106.3 | 174.7 | 180.1 | 181.0 | 152.2 | 102.0 | 104.0 | 121.2 | 98.0 | 104.6 | 131.0 | 132.5 | 1,587.6 |
| Source 1: World Meteorological Organization.,[2] NOAA (extremes & humidity, 1971-1990)[3] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory.[4] | |||||||||||||
The lowest temperature ever recorded was 2.4°C on January 7, 1980.
Demographics
As of 2012 the India census, Haflong had a population of 43,756. Males constitute 45% of the population and females 55%. Haflong has an average literacy rate of 92%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 75%. In Haflong, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The population of the Town comprises various tribes & races who maintain their own dialect, culture, customs & usages. Apart from various tribes(Oriental Indians), non-tribals also account for a sizable amount of the population. They are mostly government employees, traders living in urban & semi-urban area. The small and serene Town shelter the lovely people – warm and fascinating – and as colourful as the land itself. It is also the home of various tribes: Dimasa, Nagas, Hmar, Kukis, Mizo, Bengali, Assamese, Gorkha, Biate and Hrangkhol.
Languages
Commonly spoken languages are Haflong Hindi, Dimasa, Kuki, Jeme, Khasi, Biate, Hmar, Bengali, Assamese, and Nepali .
Politics
Haflong is part of Autonomous District (Lok Sabha constituency). It is the headquarters of Dima Hasao Autonomous District.
Modes of communication
Though there is no direct Air connection to Haflong, one can fly up to Guwahati or Silchar or Dimapur from where easy road or rail options are available. Haflong has a metre gauge train station which connects it with Lumding and Silchar.
Education
Some prominent educational institution of Haflong are:
- Schools
- Haflong Government Boys Higher Secondary School
- St. Agnes' Convent High School
- Don Bosco High School, Haflong
- Kendriya Vidyalaya, Haflong
- Colleges
- Haflong Government College
Tourism Attractions
Main attractions are
- Haflong Lake
- Jatinga Bird Observatory
- Ethnic Villages
- Fiangpui Garden,
- Jorai
- Hill view from Moulpong
- Fiangpui Church
- Hill view from circuit house,etc
References
- ^ Haflong - Assam's Hill Station, India-north-east.com
- ^ World Weather Information Service-Guwahati, World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Haflong Climate Normals 1971-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
- ^ Climatological Information for Haflong, India, Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 24 July 2013.