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Chennai records 37% rainfall deficit from Northeast monsoon

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Tamil Nadu has recorded a 10% deficit in rainfall from the Northeast monsoon which began on October 1, as per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). 

Speaking to reporters at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai on Monday, the Director of IMD Chennai N Puviarasan said that the rainfall in Tamil Nadu and in Chennai has been largely deficit when compared with the normal rainfall expected during the same period. “Tamil Nadu has received 8 cm of rainfall till date in November alone as against the normal rainfall of 16 cm. Chennai, meanwhile, has received only 8 cm of rainfall from November 1 as against the normal rainfall of 30 cm,” he said. 

While the numbers in November is dismal, Puviarasan also added that Tamil Nadu has received 30 cm of rainfall from October 1 as against the normal rainfall of 34 cms. As per the IMD website, Tamil Nadu has recorded a deficit of 10% rainfall since October 1.

Ariyalur district recorded the maximum deficit in rainfall since the start of Northeast monsoon on October 1 at 42% as it has received only 22.8 cm as against the normal rainfall of 39.1 cm. Chennai and Vellore recorded 37% deficit in rainfall. 

Nilgiris district recorded 65% excess rainfall this season as it received around 65 cm of rainfall as against the normal expected rainfall of 39 cm. Ramanathapuram district recorded an excess rainfall of 12.5 cm over and above the normal expected rainfall of 36.5 cm. 

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast light to moderate showers in isolated places across south Tamil Nadu for Monday and Tuesday. With regards to Chennai, the IMD has forecast cloudy skies and light rains in some parts of the city.

With the rainfall in Chennai being much below the normal levels, the water storage level in the four lakes which primarily supply water to the city together stood at 3.208 tmcft against the full capacity of 11.257 tmcft. This level is higher than the water levels in the four lakes on the same date last year. On November 25, 2018, the combined water level in the four lakes in Chennai’s periphery stood at 1.775 tmcft. 

Source: The News Minute