TN braces for week-long rain even as heat intensifies across state

Chennai, June 16 (IANS) Even as several parts of Tamil Nadu continue to reel under intense summer heat, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) 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

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