‘Temperature in T.N. may rise above 40 degrees Celsius’
‘Tamil Nadu is likely to experience above average heat and heatwave conditions in April itself; maximum temperature may be above normal’
The State may have to brace for sweltering heat as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the mercury level will peak above average during the season between April and June.
According to the seasonal outlook, the maximum temperature is likely to be above normal during the next two months in most parts of the State. IMD officials said the probability forecast of day temperature for the season indicated that the temperature could peak above 40 degrees Celsius.
The department has also forecast that severe heat conditions, with above normal heatwave days, are likely in the State. The number of heatwave days may be longer, even up to 14 days.
In fact, Tamil Nadu may experience above average heat and heatwave conditions in April itself. North Tamil Nadu and the adjoining interior districts are likely to experience a rise in maximum temperature, officials said. On Tuesday, the temperature in Erode breached the 40degree mark, with the mercury level peaking at 41.2 degrees Celsius. Salem, Vellore, and Dharmapuri were among the other places that experienced sweltering heat.
Summer showers
Meanwhile, some districts in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu may have light rain on Wednesday and April 8.
S. Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said a wind discontinuity line from south Tamil Nadu to Madhya Pradesh could influence summer rain.
Various weather conditions, such as wind flow from the ocean, location of the weather system, and atmospheric stability, would influence the rainfall.
Chennai is likely to have a day temperature of around 3536 degrees Celsius till Thursday.
Over 1,500 women from self help groups participated in an election awareness campaign at MGR Stadium in Madurai on Tuesday.
The district administration has been conducting various awareness programmes to create awareness of the importance of voting and achieving 100 % voter turnout in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The district administration has identified areas which recorded low voter turnout in the previous elections.
The selfhelp members took a group pledge that they would cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. They also held yellow colour cloth bags (manjapai) with the message to say no to plastics and ‘My vote is not for sale’. Collector M.S. Sangeetha, Additional Collector Monica Rana and other officials took part in the event.