Heatwave grips Chennai, several north and interior areas of State

Meteorological Department forecasts slight respite from Sunday

A heatwave gripped several north and interior areas of the State and soaring mercury levels broke records in places like Chennai. However, there may be a slight respite from the searing heat, particularly in the north coastal region from April 4, according to the Meteorological Department. On Wednesday, many weather stations in and around Chennai and interior districts, such as Dharmapuri and Karur, breached the 40-degree mark even before noon. Nungambakkam recorded its highest temperature for the year as the mercury level climbed several notches above normal. Only two days into April, the city sizzled under blistering heat as it experienced a maximum temperature of 41.2 degree Celsius, which is 7.4 degree Celsius above the average temperature. The mercury level peaked in suburban areas in Meenambakkam and West Tambaram (41.8 degree Celsius), Madhavaram (41.1 degree Celsius) and Tiruvallur (41 degree Celsius).