Remnants of Cyclone Mandous bring sharp spells of rain over Chennai
The Hindu
Heavy rains may occur until Tuesday morning after which they will decrease; the cyclone has helped bridge the rain deficit in parts of north T.N.; lakes and rivers in Chennai and its neighbouring districts are filling up
Various parts of Chennai and its suburbs experienced sharp spells of rain on Monday, influencing district administrations in and around the city to declare holidays for school and colleges.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, several weather stations in Chennai, Madhavaram, Kattupakkam, Taramani and Sathyabama University recorded 2 cm of rains between 8.30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
S. Balachandran, Additional Director-General of Meteorology, Chennai, said Sunday’s cyclonic circulation, which is a remnant of Cyclone Mandous, is now moving over north Kerala and its neighbourhood.
The moisture drag towards this system from the Bay of Bengal, influenced rains over Chennai and its fringes. The interaction of moisture between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and south-easterly wind flow towards the system led to widespread rains. There is a possibility of isolated heavy rains in north interior Tamil Nadu, as the system will pick up moisture till Tuesday morning.
The RMC has forecast that heavy rain may occur at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode and Mayiladuthurai till Tuesday morning.
Rainfall will begin to gradually decrease from Tuesday as a fresh low pressure area will form over the Arabian Sea on Tuesday and move away from the Indian Ocean region.
Cyclone Mandous helped in bridging the rain deficit in many north T.N. districts. The State’s overall seasonal rainfall has improved from a negative, to normal of 40.1 cm on Monday.