Date:28/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/28/stories/2006042820080300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chennai reels under heat wave

Special Correspondent

Experiences hottest day of season yet

CHENNAI: Amid severe heat wave conditions in the metropolis and nearby suburbs, the mercury touched a record of 40.7 degree Celsius (105 deg. Fahrenheit) in Nungambakkam observatory.

The heat has been on the rise in the city since March 1.

In Meenambakkam, the mercury touched 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 deg. Fahrenheit).

The weather office here has predicted hotter days ahead. The maximum temperature on Friday could be in the range of 41 to 42 deg C, officials said.

It was in May 23, 1980 that the weather office recorded 43.6 deg C in Nungambakkam. On May 21 1910, suburban Meenambakkam recorded a temperature of 45 deg C, it said.

The month of May is the hottest period as far as this metropolis is concerned. This is when the the `Khatri' or `Agni Nakchatram' period occurs and when intense heat wave conditions are experienced. This year this period starts on May 4 and goes will continue till May 28.

Incidentally, the elections are to be held on May 8 and the results expected on May 11.

Power cut

Residents are complaining of unscheduled power cuts

As temperatures soared, parts of central Chennai has been experiencing "unscheduled power cuts" they say.

For example, neighbourhoods in Ayanavaram, Kellys, Kilpauk and parts of Anna Nagar complained of nearly three hours of power cut on Wednesday night. The local fuse call off centres of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, were unable to provide satisfactory explanation for the power cuts from 8 p.m till midnight.

Again on Thursday morning and evening, another long stretches unannounced shutdown was experienced in Ayanavaram area from 7 a.m.