Fog envelopes ASR agency, huge throngs of visitors expected for Dasara

Visakhapatnam: Thick fog has enveloped the agency areas of ASR district, setting the tone for tourist arrivals for the Dasara holiday season. People in Chintapalle, Lambasingi, Paderu areas said the visibility remained zero till 8am and again from 4pm.

“I could see nothing in front of me this morning when I went out for a walk in Chintapalli,’’ said the director of Regional Agriculture Research Station, Swamy Babu, on Sunday.

He said the minimum temperature was down at 17 degrees Celsius and the maximum was hovering around 25, giving a pleasant atmosphere for holiday revellers.

An information official from the ASR district said it was getting tough to drive on the ghat road after 4pm.

He said foggy conditions begin normally from October but this year it came a bit early.

A weatherman said the region had surplus rainfall that resulted in the growth of greenery. This led to a drop in temperature and the winter chill set in early in the agency areas.

“Tour operators are enthused and expecting a large turnout during the Dasara vacation. Enquiries for rooms have begun and the resorts and hotels might be booked to the brim,” he said.

The railway has announced a special train with a vistadome coach for Araku this season. Tourists might be around in the agency's major attractions till Sankranti, it is felt. Lambasingi, Maredumilli, Borra Caves, Araku Valley, Ananthagiri, Vanjangi and the Chaparai waterfalls are expecting huge turnouts this time.

The Borra Caves last year had more than 10,000 visitors per day during the last Dasara season. This year, it added a light and sound show that could bring more in.