The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Hot spell is here to stay, says weatherman

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 13, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Hot spell is here to stay, says weatherman

K. Lakshmi

Formation of low pressure area raises hopes of rain

SILVER LINING? Rain clouds gathered west of the city on Saturday, confirming a meteorological report about the formation of a low pressure area over east central Bay of Bengal. — PHOTO: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: Chennai is likely to remain in the grip of the heat spiral for a few more days, with temperatures crossing the 40 degree Celsius mark for about a week now.

On Saturday, the highest temperature recorded at Nungambakkam was 42.2 degree Celsius, while at Meenambakkam it was 42.6 degree Celsius.

Absence of sea breeze

A Meteorological Department official said absence of sea breeze in the evening was making the days hotter. However, the formation of a low pressure area over east central Bay of Bengal on Saturday had raised hopes of rain. This was likely only if the pressure formation intensified into a depression.

Dip in humidity

Humidity levels were comparatively low at 56 per cent at Nungambakkam and 53 per cent at Meenambakkam. They dropped due to decrease in water vapour content in the air, the official said.

The Meteorological Department forecast an "uncomfortable day" with a maximum temperature around 42 degree Celsius on Sunday.

Heat wave conditions may prevail over parts of north coastal Tamil Nadu, while isolated rainfall has been predicted for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday, according to the weather bureau.

Meanwhile, a few parts of the city experienced drizzle, accompanied by thunder and lightning in the night.

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