Winter chill sets in across Agency areas as mercury dips to 12°C in Araku

File photo of farmers taking a wallk through yellow niger fields in Araku valley. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak The winter chill has begun setting in across the Agency areas of Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, with minimum temperatures dipping below 15°C for the first time in this season. Several hill settlements recorded the lowest temperatures of the season so far on Tuesday (November 10, 2026), signalling the onset of colder conditions across the region.Kilagada village in Munchingputtu mandal recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the State at 12.6°C, followed by Dalapatiguda in Araku mandal at 12.9°C. Gamparai in Pedabayalu mandal recorded 13.8°C, while Hukumpeta registered 14.3°C. Chintapalli also witnessed a considerable drop, with the minimum temperature settling at 14.9°C.The falling temperatures have been accompanied by dense fog covering several Agency habitations during the early morning hours. Thick blankets of fog enveloped the hill villages, creating typical winter conditions and reducing visibility in several interior areas. According to local residents, the chill has become increasingly noticeable over the past few days, with temperatures dropping sharply after sunset. Cold conditions begin to set in from around 6 p.m., making evenings and early mornings particularly chilly.Meanwhile, Vanjangi in Paderu mandal, popularly known as ‘Meghala Kondalu’ (mountains among the clouds), has been attracting a steady stream of tourists over the past few weeks. The picturesque hill destination, known for its spectacular views of cloud formations, has become a major attraction during the winter season.Local residents expect temperatures to fall further in the coming weeks, with minimum temperatures likely to touch single digits in several higher-altitude pockets if the present trend continues. Published - November 10, 2026 01:00 pm IST