The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Traffic hit as sudden showers lash city

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Saturday, Jun 28, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Traffic hit as sudden showers lash city

Staff Reporter

Shower or thundershower forecast in some areas today

Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Unexpected downpour: Sharp showers on Friday made two-wheelers riders and pedestrians scamper for cover. A scene on Anna Salai. —

CHENNAI: Sudden showers lashed the city on Friday evening throwing traffic out of gear in various areas and inundating the arterial roads.

According to a Meteorological Department official, Nungambakkam received a rainfall of 12.7 mm and Meenambakkam recorded 0.4 mm of rainfall during the 12-hour reading that ended at 8.30 p.m. on Friday. The maximum temperature was 37.5 degrees Celsius at Nungambakkam, slightly above the average temperature. Meenambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

The showers were owing to the southwest monsoon prevailing in other States, including Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, the official said. The department website said Chennai had received a rainfall of 53.2 mm till Wednesday against an average rainfall of 48.3 mm in June.

Residents in areas across the city said sharp showers accompanied by lightning were experienced during the evening hours. Several arterial roads in areas such as Pudupet, Nungambakkam, T. Nagar and Anna Nagar were flooded in about an hour.

Several vehicles were stranded on Velachery Main Road in the stretch between Pallikaranai and Velachery following the showers.

Residents of Tambaram said the area was already witnessing frequent traffic jams owing to the construction of a grade separator near Pallikaranai and the rain compounded the problem.

The Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies with a possibility of shower or thundershower in some areas during Saturday evening or night.

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