Chennai experienced its first widespread showers on Tuesday this summer under the influence of Cyclone Asani.
The May cyclone brought much-needed respite from simmering heat, particularly in many parts of north Tamil Nadu. The outer cloud bands of the weather system triggered thunderstorms over many districts and kept the day temperature in control.
A scene at Chinthadripet, Chennai on May 10, 2022. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
After many sultry days, several areas in the city received good spell of showers and experienced a monsoon-like day. The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded nearly 1 cm of rainfall during the past 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. Both the weather stations received another 1 cm of rainfall till 10.15 a.m.
Other places like Uthangarai in Krishnagiri district (5 cm), Lalgudi in Tiruchi district and Kattupakkam in Kancheepuram district (4 cm) and Virinjipuram in Vellore district recorded 3 cm of rain till early hours of Tuesday.
A huge tree uprooted at Myalopre as heavy rain lashed Chennai on May 10, 2022. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
According to the Meteorological Department, the severe cyclonic storm Asani that lay centered over west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal is very likely to move northwestwards till Tuesday night and reach west-central Bay of Bengal close to the Kakinada-Visakhapatnam coasts by Wednesday morning.
Then, it is very likely to recurve slowly north-northeastwards and move along the Andhra Pradesh coast and emerge into the northwest Bay of Bengal off the north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts. It is expected to weaken gradually into a depression by Thursday morning.
The maximum temperature in most places particularly in North Tamil Nadu, which sizzled this month, dropped by several notches on Tuesday, thanks to the first cyclone over Bay of Bengal this summer. Vellore and Tiruttani, which usually get swept by heatwaves around this time of the year, recorded a day temperature of 30.8 degree Celsius and 30.1 degree Celsius respectively, which is nearly 8 to 10 degree Celsius lower than usual for the day.
The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam too recorded a day temperature of 29.7 degree Celsius and 29.1 degree Celsius on Tuesday. Light to moderate rain brought much cheer to the residents. Many rain gauges recorded 2 cm of rain in and around the city till 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Officials noted that the impact of the weather system may last for a day or two until it moves away and a few places in the State may receive light to moderate rains on Wednesday. They added that the city and its suburbs may have to brace for soaring mercury levels later in the week. Once the weather system dissipates, an increase in day temperature is likely over the State as the strong land breeze would return.
Chennai experienced a monsoon-like day. A scene at Mogappair West on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
The Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rain till Wednesday and day temperature will be around 35 degree Celsius.
In his social media post, weather blogger R. Pradeep John noted that the city had received May showers due to a cyclone after six years. Previously, it received 20.8 cm in 2016 when cyclone Roanu was in action.
