Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
Tamil Nadu's Ooty district is experiencing an unusual cold spell, impacting daily life and agriculture.
The hill district of Ooty in Tamil Nadu is grappling with biting cold as temperatures have dropped to zero degrees Celsius. Frost-covered lawns and dense fog have led to reduced visibility, causing health issues for locals.
According to a report by NDTV, the temperatures were recorded at 1 degree Celsius in Kanthal and Thalaikuntha, 2 degrees Celsius in the Botanical Garden, and 3 degrees Celsius in Sandynallah.
In contrast, the key tourist destination Gulmarg in Kashmir is experiencing an unprecedented dry spell this year. The absence of snowfall in popular winter destinations like Sonmarg, Tangmarg, Pahalgam, and Aru Valley have raised concerns, as satellite images depict an unusual climate pattern.
Residents and environmental activists have expressed concerns over the unexpected cold weather, citing global warming and the El-Nino effect as contributing factors.
Tea plantations in Ooty, a major industry in the region, also faced challenges due to the unseasonal cold and heavy rains in December. Local tea workers' union secretary, R Sukumaran said that he fears a potential decline in production in the upcoming months.
The impact on agriculture extends beyond tea plantations, affecting various crops in the region. Vegetable farmers have reported adverse effects on their crops, particularly cabbages, due to the unusual weather conditions.