New Delhi: The cold waves have tightened its grip on Ooty with temperatures dropping below freezing in parts of the Nilgiris. The Thalaikundha region recorded
a low of minus one degree Celsius while several nearby areas hovered just below zero, bringing heavy frost and ice formation across the landscape.
The intense cold has affected daily life in and around Ooty, particularly in higher-altitude pockets. Early morning travels have become difficult with roads and vehicles coated in ice. The residents said the frost has been unusually persistent this season, settling thickly on grasslands, rooftops and parked cars.
For the past ten days, frost conditions have steadily intensified across the district. In areas such as the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty, Kanthal and the Thalaikundha-Avalanche stretch have seen widespread ice formation, transforming familiar green patches into white frozen sheets by dawn.
#WATCH | Ooty, Tamil Nadu: Minimum temperature drops to -1°C in Talakunda due to heavy snowfall.
A local, Kritika, says, “… I have never seen a frosting like this in 4 years. We are enjoying a lot…” pic.twitter.com/DweRWvWl3B
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025
Frost draws crowds despite biting cold
Despite the harsh weather, the freezing conditions have turned into a draw for tourists. A large number of tourists have been arriving daily in Thalaikundha, travelling not just from across Tamil Nadu but also from Kerala and Karnataka. Many even said that they wanted to experience sub-zero temperatures, as it’s a rarity in most parts of South India.
On Wednesday morning, frost was seen clinging to vehicles and roadside vegetation. Some tourists were spotted touching the ice and collecting small chunks while others stopped to take photographs. However, forest officials restricted access to certain areas, forcing visitors to admire the scenery from a distance.
One tourist who reached the area before sunrise even said the cold was so intense that it was difficult to speak. “It’s freezing, totally freezing. The temperature was below zero when we arrived,” he said, adding that hundreds of people had gathered despite the chill.
Forest department restricts access
Amid the surge in visitors, the Forest Department imposed a ban on tourist movement near the plains around Kamaraj Sagar Dam, citing safety concerns. Officials said the icy conditions posed risks, especially during early morning hours.
As a result, many tourists who had gathered since midnight were denied entry to the dam area. Several were seen standing along the roadside taking in the views from afar. While the curbs disrupted travel plans, visitors continued to praise the stark beauty of Ooty’s frozen morning landscape.
