Tamil Nadu receives isolated monsoon showers; Chennai to observe rain in 24 hours

While entire South India is witnessing good Monsoon showers, Tamil Nadu is one state which is devoid of any major rain activity. And this is not because the state hasn't been receiving enough Monsoon rain, it is because Tamil Nadu lies in the rain shadow area and gets more than 70% of its rainfall from Northeast Monsoon in the winter months. However, light isolated rainfall during the Monsoon months (June to September) is a common feature in the otherwise parched state.

According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, cities of interior Tamil Nadu received light rain in the last 24 hours. Coimbatore and Cunnoor recorded 5 mm and 5.8 mm of rain respectively. Coimbatore observed light rain on 17^th June as well, though this was below 1 mm.

Since rain in Tamil Nadu is sporadic in the Monsoon season, most cities like Madurai, Salem and Tiruchirappalli have been dry this month. The capital city Chennai has also been dry since 14^th June with only 0.5 mm of rain being observed on the evening of 17^th June. However, Chennai has already received excess Monsoon rain this month. The city has so far recorded 77.5 mm of rain as opposed to an average of 52 mm in the month of June.

“Looks like there is a possibility of light rain along coastal Tamil Nadu in the next 24 hours, including capital city Chennai, as a feeble trough is likely to form. Though rain may not be over 10 mm, it will be good enough to pull down the maximum temperature in Tamil Nadu which has been hovering close to 40⁰C for the last few days”, says meteorologist Mahesh Palawat.

Maximum in Chennai exceeded 40⁰C consecutively for two days on the 16^th and 17^th June. So far 16^th June has been the hottest in the state, with Madurai recording 40.2⁰C and Salem 38⁰C as maximums. Tiruchirappalli recorded 39.4⁰C and Vellore 38.8⁰C.