Mysuru: Kodagu, which is known as the ‘Switzerland’ and ‘Kashmir’ of South India, because of its cool weather even in the scorching summer, is no longer cool this year.
The result: Tourists who were hoping to make a beeline for the hilly district in April-May when summer reaches its peak, are reportedly reconsidering their choice and looking for other cooler options.
According to meteorology expert Mr M.G. Rajegowda, Kodagu had a mild and shorter winter this year. While the minimum temperature in winter usually dips to 6-7 degrees celsius, this year it dropped only to 9-10 degrees.
Since then, the temperatures have been steadily rising leaving the people of Kodagu wondering what happened to their lovely hometown.
The summer heat has already hit the district with Kodagu recording above normal temperatures in March. The average temperature in Kodagu during March used to be below 30 degrees.
The 30 degrees mark was usually breached in April, but this year, the mercury has crossed 30 degrees in March itself. This has made Kodagu hotter compared to previous years with residents worried what the maximum temperature would be in April-May.
The good news is that the pre-monsoon showers in summer are likely to be advanced by 20 days and could be above normal. ‘This is the impact of climate and environmental changes,” said Mr Rajegowda.
“The place where River Cauvery originates has been facing a drinking water crisis. Residents of the place have to be satisfied with water on alternate days.
The people of the area, who had never considered buying a fan or air-conditioner, are now seriously thinking of buying them this year with the heat leaving them sweating,” says Arjun a resident of Madikeri.
