As Kathiri nears, Chennai sizzles at 40.7°C
CHENNAI: Though peak summer season or ‘Kathiri Veyil’ is still days away for Tamil Nadu, Chennai’s Meenambakkam sizzled at 40.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which is the highest maximum temperature recorded so far this year.
At least 20 weather stations in the State recorded over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, of which Karur reported 111.2 degrees Fahrenheit (44°C) all-time hottest day since 1985. Several districts had experienced temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in April.
In the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature was above normal by 2-4.5 degrees Celsius over a few pockets in the plains of interior Tamil Nadu. The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Karur at 44°C
(111.2 degrees Fahrenheit). The previous high at Karur weather station was in 1985 when it recorded 42°C. Severe heatwave conditions prevail in the interior district almost after 39 years, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai.
Vellore recorded 43.7°C, Erode 43.6°C, Tiruchy 43.1°C and Tiruthanni 42.5°C on Wednesday. The yellow warning for heatwave conditions is likely to continue for the next two days over the north interior districts of Tamil Nadu. The maximum temperature might surge by 3-5°C and record above 43°C in coastal and interior areas. K Srikanth, an independent weather blogger stated, “Karur has recorded the highest maximum temperature in Tamil Nadu so far. Also, Dharmapuri possibly records its hottest day in the past 50 years with 41.5°C on Wednesday. The earlier hottest day was 41.4°C recorded in 1991. Meanwhile, Tiruchy airport recorded 43.1°C, the second highest in May and the third hottest overall since 1888.”
Meanwhile, IMD said abovenormal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May and a significantly high number of heat wave days is expected over the northern plains, central region, and adjoining areas of peninsular India. IMD data shows that the heat waves in April this year were far worse than in 2023, the warmest year on record.