Sirsi: People of Malnad experiencing chilly weather from November to January end every year is not a new thing. But even the coastal and semi-arid areas of Uttara Kannada district are shivering this year due to extreme cold.

The district has been witnessing harsh cold weather since the last fortnight. Mornings are generally hotter and drier and the mercury-level dips drastically in the evenings and early mornings.

Making things worse, the cold weather is accompanied by chilly wind.

Even in the coastal city of Karwar, the minimum temperature is 22 to 23 degree Celsius while the maximum temperature is 33 degree Celsius. Similar weather is also being experienced in the semi-arid areas of Mundgod, Haliyal and Banavasi in Sirsi taluk.

The people of Mundgod taluk, who used to always look for shade to protect themselves from extreme heat, are now letting themselves tan in the sun. Due to the cold which begins gripping in the evening, most of the roads in Mundgod look deserted after 8:00 pm. Those working in the paddy fields light a bonfire near the field to keep themselves warm. Morning walkers have changed their timings and are preferring to go on a walk in the evening. 

The people of Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur taluk have also been distressed by the cold. Sweaters, mufflers, jerkins, blankets and other warm clothes have come out of the shelves.

In the evenings, people light a bonfire to warm up their surroundings.

“The cold is such that many customers are seen requesting for warm drinking water in hotels. Fans, air conditioners and coolers which were put to work even in the rainy season are now taking a rest”, said Raju Hegde, a citizen.

Dr Ravikiran Patwardhan said that Sirsi recorded 14 degree Celsius temperature around three to four days back. This reminded us of Madikeri and other hill stations.