The recent weather system failed to bring widespread rain over Tamil Nadu. File photo | Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has forecast below normal rainfall over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next two weeks till December 8.
Additional Director General of Meteorology S. Balachandran said the weather models indicated a reduction in rainfall. Light to moderate intensity rain was expected in the state till Tuesday.
Due to the relatively low moisture content in the atmosphere, Chennai may experience foggy conditions in the morning for two days. He said that there was no major weather system in the Bay of Bengal to bring widespread rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
The Northeast Monsoon had stopped for the last one week. The recent weather system failed to bring widespread rain over the state. From November 17 to November 23, the state recorded only 3 mm of rainfall, while the average for the period was 34 mm, a deficit of nearly 91%. Mr. Balachandran said that a total of 16 districts received no rainfall at all and 22 districts recorded less than average rainfall.
Weak monsoon performance since last one week has reduced the seasonal rainfall from more than 17% since November 17 to 1% now. On Friday, Tamil Nadu recorded 333.9 ml, which is only 1% more than the seasonal normal of 330.4 mm between October 1 and November 25. Only nine districts, including Namakkal and Tirupattur, received more than their seasonal share. Chennai district received 9% more rainfall than its average.
In its extended range forecast, the India Meteorological Department has indicated the possibility of a low pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea around the middle of the second week of December. However, its movement and impact on the state is being monitored.