Munnar: To the dismay of tourists who flock to Munnar to chill in the cool weather, the temperature in the hill station has been soaring. On April 29, twenty – nine degrees Celsius was recorded while it rose to thirty degrees on April 30. Experts say that compared to the previous years, the average temperature in Munnar has gone up by 2 – 4 degrees. This assumption is based on the data collected from the observatory owned by the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) in Nallathanni. This year, the temperature in Munnar was between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius during the day from April 15 to 30. Meanwhile, the temperature dropped to 11 degrees, at night and in the wee hours, during this time.

In 1989 – 2000, the highest temperature during the day was 25.5 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperature ranged between 16 – 17.4 degrees. Meanwhile, in 2011 to 2020, the temperature in Munnar, during the day, had risen up to 26.1 and the lowest temperature was 15.7 degree Celsius. “The heat in Munnar had gone up as a result of the drought situation in the state. The heatwave continues as there is a shortage of summer rains,” said Rajeevan Irikkulam, climate expert.

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Tourists miss misty hills
Visitors who frequent Munnar during the vacation season said they miss the chill and misty hue of the hill station due to the heat. Tourist Anupama S said, “Many spots in Munnar used to have an all-day-long cool feel even during the summer months in the past. Therefore, it was a regular affair for my family to head to Munnar for the summer. However, things seem to be changing gradually as even the mornings are comparatively mist-free, this season. This can disappoint tourists who come here to enjoy the misty hills and cool breeze.” Meanwhile, Gulmohar trees on the on Kottarakkara-Dindigul National Highway and Kumily Munnar State Highway are in full bloom, offering a beautiful sight to tourists. While the heat makes the region uncomfortable, this visual treat is impressing many tourists who are clicking away selfies with the trees in their backdrop.

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