RESPITE FROM HEAT: Motorists were caught by surprise as sharp showers hit the city on Monday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: The showers on Monday night had a better impact on the catchment areas of the city's reservoirs compared to the city.

While Nungambakkam received 4.3 mm of rainfall, Meenambakkam received 4.4 mm during the 24-hour reading till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. However, residents complained that the day was relatively humid. The maximum temperatures were 36.6 degrees Celsius and 36.2 degrees Celsius respectively, according to the Meteorological Department.

On the other hand, the catchment areas of the city reservoirs recorded good rain, much to the delight of the suburban residents. Cholavaram recorded 4.2 cm, Red Hills 2.3 cm and Poondi 1.1 cm of rain till Tuesday.

An official from the meteorological department said that such light showers in the city occur during the southwest monsoon. The rain on Monday night was due to an interaction between a southwesterly dry wind and a sea breeze from the Bay of Bengal, resulting in thundercloud activity. At present, the southwest monsoon was active in coastal Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, he added. The meteorological website said that the city received 24 mm from June 1 to June 21 as against the normal rain of 36 mm, which was deficient.

The weather office forecasts generally cloudy skies and possibility of a shower or thundershower in some areas of the city on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department officials inspected the Kandaleru-Poondi canal in view of the forthcoming monsoon.

A PWD official said that minor repair works in canal between zero point (border Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) and Poondi reservoir covering 17 km would be taken up.

The work would be completed in a month.

The officials expect that water from Kandaleru reservoir might be released to Tamil Nadu after July as per the agreement between the States.

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