The entire state of Tamil Nadu has registered a record high rainfall of January. After the cessation of Northeast Monsoon, rains recede and January becomes the lean month along with February and March. Total monthly rainfall for Tamil Nadu in January stands at 15.5mm and it rarely exceeds this figure. During the last 7 years, Tamil Nadu recorded deficient rain except in 2017. The deficiency was as high as 80% or even more in 2016 and 2019. The only excess year was 2017 with a surplus of 113%.
All the 37 districts of Tamil Nadu have recorded large excess of rainfall between 01st January & 14th January. Total of 21 districts of Tamil Nadu have measured excess of 1000% or more. Even the interior districts of the Tamil Nadu are in excess of 1000%: Coimbatore 1384%, Trippur 1957%, Karur 1770%, Erode 1039% and Salem 811%. This is almost unprecedented and moderate rains lashed the state in the past 24 hours. Chief amount of rainfall in Tamil Nadu recorded being: Nagapattinam 88mm, Atiramapattinam 37mm, Thanjavur 40mm, Pamban 36mm and Trichy 30mm.
Current wet spell is attributed to an active cyclonic circulation in the equatorial belt near Gulf of Mannar and aided by another weather system over Southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area. Moderate rain with heavy spell at few places is expected in the next 48 hours for Tamil Nadu and recede thereafter to literally go dry over the entire state.
