TN braces for week-long rain even as heat intensifies across state
Chennai, June 16
Even as several parts of Tamil Nadu continue to reel under intense summer heat, the Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast rain across several districts of the state over the coming week due to changes in the speed and pattern of westerly winds.
According to the weather department, rain is likely on Tuesday in nine districts, including the Western Ghats region, along with Namakkal and Salem.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms has been forecast for Theni district, while moderate rainfall and gusty winds are expected in Namakkal, Salem, Tiruchy, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai districts.
The department has also warned of heavy rainfall in Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts over the next two days. Rainfall activity is expected to continue across parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal for at least another week.
For Chennai, the forecast indicates partly cloudy skies with the possibility of light rain in some areas. The city is expected to witness a maximum temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest locations in the state.
After experiencing relatively mild weather conditions over the past few weeks, Tamil Nadu has seen a sharp rise in temperatures during the last two days. Twelve locations across the state recorded scorching conditions on Monday.
Chennai's Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam weather stations recorded the highest temperature in the State at 40 degrees Celsius. Temperatures touched 39 degrees Celsius at Madurai Airport, Madurai city and Tiruttani. Other places that experienced severe heat included Vellore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Karur Paramathi, Tiruchy, Puducherry, Namakkal and Palayamkottai.
Despite the prevailing heatwave-like conditions, several districts received rainfall on Monday. Showers were reported in Tambaram, Ariyalur and Senji, while heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed Melmalayanur, Valathi, Thayanur and Eeyakunnam for more than an hour.
In the Chennai suburbs, rain was recorded in Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Selaiyur, Mudichur and Vandalur. Ariyalur district also received light rain with thunder and lightning in Royapuram, Senthurai, Vanjanapuram, Kudumur, Nallanayakapuram and Perumandi, providing temporary relief from the soaring temperatures.
Meteorologists said the contrasting weather pattern of intense heat and scattered rainfall is likely to persist across Tamil Nadu over the next several days.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I live in Madurai and the heat has been unbearable the past few days. But the forecast for heavy rain gives me hope! Let's see if the weatherman gets it right this time. 😅
Western Ghats region always gets good rain. But the contrast is striking - one part of the state is boiling while another gets thunderstorms. Wish the Met department would do more localized forecasting instead of broad predictions.
Tambaram got some rain yesterday and it was such a relief! The plants in my terrace garden were dying in this heat. Hopefully next week's rains reach all parts of Chennai too. 🙏
Farmers in Theni will be happy with this heavy rain forecast. But for us in Chennai, it's just light drizzle at best while temperatures stay near 40. At least the beaches will be less crowded if we get some cloud cover.
The weather patterns are getting weirder each year. We had relatively mild weather and now suddenly it's scorching. Climate change is real, yaar. Hope the government has some heat action plans in place for vulnerable communities.
Just got drenched in Chromepet an hour ago! Unexpected but welcome relief. Though I wish the
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