Chennai: Widespread rainfall continued across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with several interior and southern districts receiving heavy showers. The Meteorological Department has predicted that rain activity will continue in the coming days, along with a gradual decrease in temperatures across the state.
In Chennai, rainfall was moderate and localized, with some parts of the city recording up to 3 cm of rain.
Across Tamil Nadu, temperatures remained mostly normal for this time of year. Vellore recorded the highest maximum temperature at 38.9°C, while western districts such as Erode experienced temperatures between 35°C and 36°C. Hill stations like Kodaikanal remained much cooler, providing relief from the summer heat.
According to official rainfall data for the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Mimisal in Pudukkottai district and Siruvalur in Erode district recorded the highest rainfall in the state, each receiving 10 cm.
Savundapur in Erode received 9 cm of rain, while Shencottah in Tenkasi district recorded 8 cm. Several areas in Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, and Sivaganga districts also experienced significant rainfall between 6 and 7 cm.
Weather experts say the present rain pattern is due to a trough stretching from the southeast Arabian Sea to central India. This weather system is drawing moisture into the region, creating favorable conditions for widespread rainfall.
The forecast for the next week indicates light to moderate rain, along with thunderstorms, across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Heavy rainfall is expected in isolated parts of western, central, and southern Tamil Nadu until May 11. After that, the rain is likely to move toward delta and coastal districts.
The Meteorological Department has also warned of thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds of 40 to 50 kmph in some areas.
In addition, maximum temperatures are expected to gradually drop by 2°C to 3°C, which may bring much-needed relief from the intense heat currently affecting many parts of the state.