A scene from frost-covered Chenduvarai, near Munnar, in Idukki on Friday morning.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRNAGEMENT
Whilethe State is reeling under the heat, the Munnar hill station continued to witness the season’s lowest temperature, with Chenduvarai recording 0°C on Friday morning.
As per data from the United Planters Association of South India, Nallathanni Munnar town, Letchmi, Silent Valley, and Devikualm have recorded a temperature of 3°C. Seven Malai saw 4°C, while R&D Mattupetty witnessed 5°C on Friday morning.
According to climatologist Gopakumar Cholayil, the hill station might have experienced a long winter if not for the cyclonic circulation and depression that occurred in January. “Better humidity levels, clear skies, and no hindrance from longwave radiation are required toexperience sub-zero temperature in the hill station.”
Mr. Cholayil said the hill station experienced a long winter with mercury dipping to sub-zero in February 2019.
According to climate experts, there is a change in the pattern of winter in Munnar. Usually, normal winter in Munnar will begin from November, with the hill station experiencing extreme cold in the first week of January. The chilly weather will come to an end around the second week of January. However, this year the winter has extended to February.
G. Sojan, coordinator of the My Munnar Movement, said that there is a continuous inflow of tourists to the hill station from December onwards, without any break. “Now many tourists are arriving at the hill station to enjoy the chilly weather,” said Mr. Sojan.
Published – February 07, 2025 08:52 pm IST
