Rain and thunderstorm take Chennai by surprise

Thunderstorms bring relief to Chennai with rainfall recordings from various parts of the city and flights diverted due to rain.

After a hot, humid day, thunderstorms brought rain and joy to the city on Sunday afternoon.

The summer showers accompanied by thunder and lightning in several parts of the city brought temperature down by a few notches.

According to the data from the Regional Meteorological Office (RMC) here, rainfall recordings till 5.30 p.m. were: Nungambakkam observatory recorded 11 mm, Meenambakkam 8 mm, Jaya Engineering College 11.5 mm, Tiruttani 3.5 mm, Chembarambakkam 34.5 mm, Poonamallee 25 mm, Pallikaranai 12 mm and Puzhal 5.5. mm.

Chennai Nungambakkam recorded a maximum of 38.8 degree Celsius and Meenambakkam 39.6 degree Celsius. 

Robert,a resident of Tiruvallur town, said that his coconut tree broke and fell due to the heavy winds. “It was laden with tender coconut and the tree just split. Many branches in the mango tree too fell,” he said.

Krishnaveni, a resident of Nehru Nagar in Thoraipakkam, said by 3.30 p.m. the sky suddenly turned very dark. “It was almost like night,” she added.

Reports also came in of hail stones falling along with the rain at Poonamallee.