Temperatures drop drastically in Vizag agency

Visakhapatnam: Even before the winter season has set in, temperatures in the Visakhapatnam agency are dipping drastically. The agency is under the tight veil of fog these days, delaying the day-break by hours.

The village that records lowest temperatures is Lambasingi, a hamlet in Chintapalle mandal. It has earned the reputation of being the coldest place in South India. At present the temperatures are plummeting below 10 degrees Celsius. During the last two days - November 22 and 23 – mercury went below 7 degrees C and which is lowest so far this season.

The mercury plummeted to 8.5 degrees Celsius at the Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS), Chintapalle recently but Lambasingi has several factors - high altitude and thick green forest cover – that make temperature dip below 0 degree C. “We have been experiencing a cold climate with thick fog in morning hours during the last one week. In the next few days, it is likely to go down further,” said V Raju Padal, a native of Lambasingi.

With Lambasingi being already in the grip of winter, tourists are arriving in the village to experience the phenomenon. In fact, visitors arrive in Lambasingi in December but with winter setting much early, they are here now to savour the weather. Lambasingi is an irresistible attraction since if one visits this place, one could watch the clouds sailing through them often.

Meanwhile, due to lack of the basic amenities including cottages, restrooms and washrooms, the visitors are returning after spending just three to four hours in the morning. “The government promises to provide basic amenities for the past several years, but it had so far not kept its word. We arrive early in the morning and after sun-rise we leave,” says K Siva Kumar, who is a regular visitor to Lambasingi in winters.