As temperatures in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris witnessed a significant drop, with people grappling with biting cold, the unseasonal climatic phenomenon has taken a major toll on the people of the district.
According to official data available, temperature was recorded at 1 degree celcius at Kanthal and Thalaikuntha in Udhagamandalam while the mercury was a notch higher at 2 degree celsius in Botanical Garden. Sandynallah was warmer at 3 degree celsius.
Effects Of Plummeting Temp On Locals
Locals are struggling with health issues as the lush green lawns are now covered with frost and dense fog, thereby affecting visibility. The unseasonal climatic phenomenon that has also affected farming. These cold, dry spells are usually witnessed during November-December, locals said.
People were seen trying to keep themselves warm by sitting around bonfire due to the dip in mercury
Vegetable farmers said the weather has affected cabbages in particular. N Ravichandran, a government employee, said it was difficult to leave home early for work due to the cold conditions.
Though one wears the required attire to keep warm, it was still difficult to drive two-wheelers, leading to health issues such as difficulty in breathing, severe headache and fever.
Experts Raise Concern
Residents and environmental activists have expressed their concern over the relatively ‘unseasonal’ cold that has gripped the mountains. V Sivadas of the Nilagiri Enviroment Social Trust (NEST) believes the change is due to global warming and El-nino effect.
“The onset of the cold is delayed and such a climatic change is a big challenge to the Nilgiris and study should be conducted about this,” he said. The tea plantation, taken up on a large scale here, also faces challenges.
Heavy rains in December and the subsequent cold period now has affected tea plantation, R Sukumaran, secretary of a local tea workers union said. He expressed fears that this could affect production in the coming months.
(with PTI inputs)
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