RMC predicts heavy rainfall over North Tamil Nadu this week; wet spell to continue till August 13

It’s now north Tamil Nadu’s turn to receive its share of rainfall. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast fairly widespread rainfall in northern districts, which is likely to be very intense in some parts on Friday.

An upper air cyclonic circulation persisting over the southwest Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu will trigger downpours with very heavy intensity in one or two places of Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Tirupattur districts. Nine other districts, including Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram, too would fall in the path of heavy rainfall on Friday.

The rainfall, which was active in the delta and Western Ghats districts until a few days ago, would cover north Tamil Nadu this week. Heavy rainfall would continue in districts like Dharmapuri, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai on Saturday, said officials

P. Senthamarai Kannan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre said that the weather system over north Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas would also bring thunderstorms over Chennai on Friday. There may be a mild dip in day temperature for two days.

While Chennai recorded a near normal temperature of 34.5 degree Celsius, places like Madurai and Palayamkottai experienced searing heat on Thursday. Madurai airport sizzled at 40 degree Celsius, which was the hottest temperature registered in the State for the day.

During the past 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, Wallajah in Ranipet district recorded the heaviest rainfall of 13 cm for the day. Mild rainfall continued in some places like Vellore, Coimbatore and Tirupattur on Thursday till 6 p.m.

The wet spell, which is predicted to persist till August 13, is expected to reduce rain deficit in northern districts like Krishnagiri, Kancheepuram and Dharmapuri. The State has so far received a monsoon rainfall of 14.5 cm, which is 7% more than its seasonal average since June 1. The RMC considered this as normal seasonal rainfall. Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Tenkasi and Mayiladuthurai are among the few districts that have received excessive rainfall so far this season.