Rain returns to parts of Tamil Nadu; dry weather likely after December 18

A fresh spell of rain greeted many parts of coastal districts, including Chennai on Tuesday, offering a break from the dry days after Cyclone Ditwah. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted that light to moderate rainfall is likely to be more concentrated over south Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

Several coastal districts, including Chennai, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore and parts of north T.N. reported light to moderate rainfall on Tuesday. Observatories in places like Parangipettai in Cuddalore district (4 cm), VIT-Chennai and Sathyabama University (3 cm each), Poonamallee (2 cm), Puducherry, Neyveli received 1 cm of rain each till 6 p.m. Various places in Chennai, including NIOT Pallikaranai, Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam, also received light rain.

Overcast skies, coupled with intermittent rainfall, contributed to a dip in daytime temperature across various districts. The highest maximum temperature recorded in the State was 30.6 degree Celsius, nearly one degree Celsius below average, in Erode on Tuesday.

With Chembarambakkam reservoir, one of the key drinking water sources of Chennai that has reached its full capacity, receiving mild rainfall, the Water Resources Department has increased water discharge from the reservoir to 500 cubic feet per second by Tuesday evening.

P. Senthamarai Kannan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, said the velocity convergence in easterlies revived wet weather over parts of the State, and similar weather pattern would continue till December 18. Night temperature may increase in places like Chennai on Wednesday due to the rain spell, and gradually begin to drop by two-three degree Celsius from Thursday. With no major weather system, dry weather may return over north Tamil Nadu by December 18, and the rest of the State from Friday, he said.

The State has received an overall rainfall of 42 cm, which is 2% more than its seasonal average since October 1. Dry days have increased the seasonal rain deficit in some districts like Chengalpattu, Karur and Krishnagiri. The RMC has predicted that Chennai is likely to experience light rainfall and warmer night on Wednesday.