Date:12/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/12/stories/2005091208050100.htm

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Squall creates a minor storm

K. Ramachandran

RAIN-HIT: Water-logged temporary tsunami shelters at Kargil Nagar on Sunday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: A squall accompanied by heavy rain and thunder blew over Chennai on Saturday night, felling trees in several neighbourhoods and resulting in a brief blackout in central and southern localities.

According to the weather office, the squall, with a maximum wind speed of 74 km an hour, crossed the city at 9-51 p.m. in the south-westerly direction. Surface wind speed over the city is normally 20-25 km an hour. Eyewitnesses said several ceiling fans at the Chennai Central railway station's waiting hall swayed wildly damaging many tube lights and raining shreds of glass on passengers.

In Nungambakkam, the gust felled small trees and broke branches of huge avenue trees. In Adyar and Mandavelipakkam, several streets were strewn with tree branches, forcing drivers to take a detour.

The city and suburbs have been receiving heavy showers in the last three days, with Nungambakkam recording 5.5 mm rainfall on Friday, 14.1 mm on Saturday and 24.6 mm till Sunday morning. In Meenambakkam, the rainfall recorded on Friday was 50.8 mm. Chembarampakkam recorded 70 mm rain, 28.0 mm on Saturday.