Hot days are ahead for Chennai with its mercury levels soaring to 36 degrees on Sunday afternoon. According to the Regional Meteorological Department officials, it could reach up to a maximum of 37 degrees in the city.
Chennaities can, however, hope for a brief respite in the coming days with a slight drop in the temperature. Speaking to TNM, an official from RMD says, “If we are fortunate to receive some thundershowers in April, chances of the heat wave in the state will reduce.” A bulletin from RMD issued at 1 pm on Sunday has forecast that “light to moderate rain is likely to occur in isolated places in Tamil Nadu” on April 13.
Observations from last year indicate the highest recorded temperature last year around the same time stood at 35.6 degrees. However, an all-time high in the temperature for March was 40 degrees, in the year 1953.
Calling this “the hottest day of the year in Chennai again”, Tamil Nadu’s weatherman Pradeep John writes, “Outskirts are expected to reach 38-40 C today. Vellore region is likely to sizzle. Expecting Tiruttani, the furnace of Tamil Nadu, to touch 41 C.”
Pradeep observed that the city recorded its highest temperature for the year on March 28, when the mercury levels rose up to 38.5 degrees in Meenambakkam and 35.6 degrees in Nungambakkam.
The highest recorded temperature in the state, as of Saturday afternoon, was from Trichy, which stood at 40.6 degrees, followed by 40.5 degrees in Karur. Tiruttani was at 40.3 degrees, followed by Madurai at 40.0 degrees.
Earlier this week, IMD recorded that temperatures were above normal in a few places over the state from March 21 to 25.
On March 21, a weather forecast issued by the RMC predicted heat stress over Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchirapalli, Karur, Dindigul and Madurai districts from March 25.
Source: The News Minute