After receiving record rainfall in 24 hours till Sunday, Chennai will see thunderstorms and heavy rain in the next 48 hours. Several other parts of Tamil Nadu may also receive thunderstorms with lightning for two more days.
S Balachandran, deputy director general of meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, said from October 1 to November 7, Chennai received 26% excess rainfall and the state received 43 per cent more rainfall than normal. In this period, Chennai recorded 48 cms against the normal 38 cms. Tamil Nadu got 33 cms as against 23 cms. “Chennai received very heavy rain in a short span of time. till 10 pm [Saturday]The city received only 3 cm of rain, but 6 cm from 1 am to 1.45 am and 7 cm from 5 am to 6 am. This is called a mesoscale phenomenon, which is difficult to predict,” he said.
A cyclonic circulation over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean caused sudden rains, extending up to 4.5 km above sea level. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas by November 9. It may become more clear and move towards North Tamil Nadu coast in next 48 hours.
On November 10 and 11, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur over North Coastal Tamil Nadu districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is also likely in some areas. Heavy rain may occur in the interior parts of the state. “Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The IMD said heavy to very heavy rains are very likely at isolated places over Madurai, Virudhunagar and Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu and South Interior Karnataka.
The weather station at the DGP’s office received 23 cm for the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday. It was followed by Nungambakkam and Ambattur, each with a distance of 21 cm. Ayanavaram got 18 cms, MGR Nagar got 17 cms. Anna University and Puzhal received 16 cm and 15 cm of rainfall respectively.
Sirugamani in Tiruchi district received 12 cm of rain. Tiruvadanai in Ramanathapuram district; Cholavaram in Tiruvallur district; Viralimalai in Pudukottai district; Velinokkam in Ramanathapuram district; Mohanur in Namakkal district; Musiri in Tiruchi district; Gummidipundi in Tiruvallur district; Peravurani in Thanjavur district; and Madurai South each received 9 cm.
.