Frost covered pastures in Chenduvarai near Munnar on Saturday morning. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Munnar hill station in Idukki recorded the season’s lowest temperature on Saturday, with the mercury in Sevenmallay dropping to -1°C. As temperatures dropped to sub-zero levels, meadows and valleys could be seen covered in white frost in the morning.
According to the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) tea research foundation, temperatures in Chenduvarai, Silent Valley, Letchmi, Devikulam and UPASI headquarters in Nallathanni touched 0°C. Devikulam recorded 1°C. The research and development center in Mattupetty recorded 2°C. This follows the previous seasonal low of 2°C recorded on Friday.
Climatologist Gopakumar Cholayil said sub-zero temperatures are likely to persist. “Current weather patterns are favorable for continued sub-zero temperatures,” Mr Cholayil said.
Earlier than usual
Climate experts have noted that these freezing temperatures have arrived earlier than usual this year. Munnar normally sees sub-zero temperatures only in the last week of December.
The local tourism sector is expecting a surge in visitors eager to experience the cold weather and frost-covered landscape.
Increase in bookings
G. Sojan, coordinator of My Munnar Movement, an initiative to promote local tourism, said news of the cold has already led to an influx of travelers. “Tourism stakeholders are getting huge bookings and demand for the coming days,” Mr Sojan said.
The winter season usually starts in December and peaks with extreme cold in the last week of the month. Experts noted that in recent years, the winter season in Munnar has extended till February.
Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) managing committee member Vinod Vattekkatt said that while the cancellation of IndiGo flights initially affected tourism in the hill station in the first week of December, the early onset of winter helped the industry recover. “The early onset of winter in Munnar has helped us overcome the initial crisis. Most of the resorts and hotels are now receiving high volumes of bookings and inquiries, a trend we expect to continue till January 30,” said Mr. Vattekkatt.
“Tourists and tour operators closely monitor the weather in Munnar. When they see favorable conditions, the number of bookings goes up. The winter patterns of Munnar have shifted for the past few years, with sub-zero temperatures usually occurring in late December, January and the first week of February. However, this year, the frosts started as early as the second week of December, giving a much-needed boost to the tourism sector,” said Mr. Vattekt.
Published – 20 Dec 2025 19:33 IST
