No these photos are not from Kashmir, but from Kerala

We woke up to a chilly surprise this morning. Take a guess where; it’s perhaps our most popular hill station. pic.twitter.com/W1Rn6JeFqG

— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) January 4, 2019

In fact, Munnar’s temperature went as low as -3 degrees Celsius last Wednesday, affecting hectares of tea plantations in the region.

While it hasn’t snowed here, the temperatures are low enough to turn due into frost every morning, giving the region a coat of white. (User-generated photos)

Situated at an altitude ranging from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft), the hill station is not new to low temperatures, but things have not been this cold in the past decade. While it hasn’t snowed here, the temperatures are low enough to turn due into frost every morning, giving the region a coat of white.

Situated at an altitude ranging from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft), the hill station is not new to low temperatures, but things have not been this cold in the past decade. (User-generated photos)

In fact, most of Kerala has been experiencing relative low temperatures over the past few weeks. Many towns are experiencing lowers temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius, which is really rare in balmy Kerala, at least not in recent decades.

Speaking to ieMalayalam.com, M J Manoj, research scientist at CUSAT, gave three reasons for the drop in temperatures in Kerala: the weakening of the polar vortex, western disturbance over the Mediterranian Sea affecting South India and plumes from the Indonesian volcano blocking sun’s heat in the region.