Tourists enjoying a bonfire on a cold Monday night at Araku Valley, 130 km from Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
Temperatures in the Agency areas of Alluri Sitharama Raju district suddenly dropped on Sunday night (December 15).
In the last 24 hours, the temperature in some tribal hamlets has declined by at least 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. For the first time this season, the minimum temperature has fallen below 5°C in several areas.
The cold breeze and sudden mercury dip kept the tribals from interior hamlets confined to their houses.
Araku Valley recorded 3.8°C during the wee hours of Monday, followed by G. Madugula with 4.1°C. Dalapathiguda (Araku) and Kunthalam (G. Madugula) recorded the lowest temperatures, at 4.8°C, according to the readings observed from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) arranged by the AP State Development Planning Society (APSDPS).
Similarly, least temperatures recorded in other areas in the Agency were as follows: Dumbriguda (6°C), G.K. Veedhi (7.3°C), Masada (Hukumpeta) (7.8°C), Chintapalli (8.1°C), Munchingputtu (8.1°C), Hukumpeta (8.8°C), Pedabayalu (9.0°C), Ananthagiri (9.4°C), Gamparai (Pedabayalu) (9.5°C) and Paderu (9.7°C).
During the last week of November, many areas recorded less than 10°C. Last week, during Cyclone Fengal, the temperatures slightly increased, with most areas recording about 15 to 20°C. Yet again, for the second time, the temperatures have dropped further.
“Dense fog has been engulfing the valley from 4 p.m. Even by 10 a.m., visibility on the roads is poor. Many tribals are depending on campfires after 6 p.m.,” said Pangi Suresh, an auto-rickshaw driver from Araku Valley.
Due to cold weather, most shops, commercial establishments, and food zones in Araku, Paderu, and other places are forced to close around 8 p.m. Meanwhile, tourist attractions like Araku Valley, Paderu, Lambasingi, and Ananthagiri attract a large number of tourists.
Visakhapatnam city also experienced a severe cold last night. Pendurthi recorded 12.5°C, which is said to be the lowest among all the areas. Bheemunipatnam recorded 14.7°C, while Gajuwaka recorded 15°C.
Padmanabham followed, with 15.4 °C minimum temperatures last night. Gambheeram, Gopalapatanam, Simhachalam, Arilova, and other areas recorded temperatures between 15°C and 16°C. By 10 p.m., temperatures in most places had dropped to below 20°C. Traffic was visibly less after 9 p.m., as residents were confined to their homes.
In the Anakapalli district, Cheedikada recorded 12.3°C lowest temperatures. Yelamanchili, Butchayyapeta, Kasimkota, Devarapalli, Golugonda, Kotlavuratla, K. Kotapadu and a few other areas recorded 13°C to 16°C minimum temperatures.
Published – December 16, 2024 08:27 pm IST
