Munnar’s tea industry is facing a severe setback due to continuous frost and sub-zero temperatures. Important producers like Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) and Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML) report large areas of tea bushes damaged. KDHP said around 100 hectares of tea plantations have wilted. A source said, "The temperature is at sub-zero level in many places and may continue to be so. This could lead to further crop loss." HML’s vice-president Anil George highlighted the Lockhart estate near Devikulam where 49.04 hectares, or 14.3% of the estate, were affected. He said, "The extreme cold is causing severe stress to tea bushes and is leading to defoliation of leaves." Mr. George explained the early frost: "While sub-zero temperatures typically arrive in late December or early January, this year the frost began in the third week of December. The Siberian High and Katabatic flow phenomena appear to be the reasons for low temperature in high elevation tea growing areas in South India." He added, "The Siberian High usually brings cold winds to the Himalaya and it prevents moving further south. This year, due to climate change, it has moved towards South India. The air becomes denser at night and flows toward the valleys via Katabatic flow, resulting in extensive frost damage to nearby tea fields." On the brighter side, Munnar’s tourism sector is thriving thanks to the chilly weather and frost. Hotels and resorts report a surge in bookings after reports of “snowfall” in the hill station. Temperatures remain below zero in many places. For example, on Tuesday morning Letchmi recorded -1°C. According to the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) Tea Research Foundation, some locations registered near zero temperatures: Chenduvarai and Silent Valley reached 0°C, Nallathanni recorded 1°C, and Devikulam and Sevenmallay saw 2°C. While tea growers worry about delayed harvesting and crop loss, tourists enjoy the frosty magic of Munnar.