Chennai, 15 December (H.S.): The popular tourist destination of Ooty has begun experiencing frosting as the minimum temperature dropped significantly.

Though an annual phenomenon, a horticulture department official noted that climate change has altered the patterns in recent years, causing the frosting to commence late this year, beginning on December twelve, nearly a month behind schedule. The phenomenon is expected to intensify in the coming days.

The frosting proved to be a visual delight for tourists, as popular spots were blanketed with a thick layer of frost during the early morning hours. Areas most affected include the Government Botanical Garden (GBG), Thalaikundha, the Boat House, Race Course grounds, and other sprawling grass lawns.

The minimum temperature recorded at the GBG on Sunday was three degrees Celsius, while Thalaikundha recorded a colder temperature of one degree Celsius. Visitors were seen setting bonfires in the evenings to keep themselves warm against the freezing chill.

However, the cold weather brought hardship for farm laborers, who lamented that the chill prevented them from carrying out their routine morning work, such as harvesting carrots and plucking tea leaves.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary