Downpour predicted in 12 dists; city to remain dry

CHENNAI: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Sunday predicted heavy rain for several districts on May 7 and 8, which is likely to bring relief from soaring heat.

According to Met officials, heavy rain is predicted over Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Theni, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts of Tamil Nadu on May 7 and 8.

As far as Chennai and its suburbs are concerned, the mercury is likely to reach around 40 degrees Celsius in the next two days. According to weather officials, chances for summer rains are bleak for the capital city for the next few days. Yet thunderstorms and gusty wind warnings have been issued across the State. As reflected by rising mercury, the state received 18 mm rainfall against 69 mm last year, which is a 73 per cent deficit for the summer season this year.

Under the influence of wind flowing from Marathwada, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 km is likely to occur at one or two places over Tamil Nadu till May 11.

Near normal to slightly above normal rainfall is likely over the rest of the state till May 9. Out of 40 districts including Karaikal and Puducherry, only Dindigul received normal rainfall with 109 mm against the normal 100 mm. As many as 6 districts received largely deficient rainfall, and 32 districts did not get rain so far this year.

Though there is no large change in the maximum temperature over interior districts, the mercury level is likely to fall gradually up to 2 degrees Celsius from May 7 as many places are likely to receive summer rains. However, the maximum temperature is likely to be generally 2-5 degrees Celsius above normal over north interior districts and heat wave conditions are likely to prevail for the next few days.