Date:20/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/20/stories/2007112055790600.htm

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Tamil Nadu

Sunday rain hints at no more foggy mornings, chilly nights

K. Lakshmi and Kannal Achuthan

“Rainfall between October 1 and November 14 is deficit by 40%”

— Photo: K. Pichumani

DIFFICULT DRIVING: Motorists find it hard to navigate roads on a fog-covered morning in Chennai.

CHENNAI: Chennai is waking up to foggy mornings and feeling the chill during nights as minimum temperature dipped in the last week.

However, this weather condition is likely to change as rain has started after a considerable interval of dry weather. On Sunday, Nungambakkam received 2.3 mm of rainfall and Meenambakkam 2.8 mm .

G. Selva Kumar, who sets out to work from Kilpauk early morning everyday, said: “The mornings are unusually foggy for November. Night travel on roads is becoming impossible without winter clothes to protect against the cold.”

Over the last few days, the minimum temperature in the city has been about 19 to 21 degree Celsius as against the normal minimum of 23 degree Celsius. Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre S.R. Ramanan said the severe cyclonic storm ‘Sidr’ that weakened on Saturday was the reason for the reduction of rainfall in the city. The cyclonic storm had dragged off the moisture in the atmosphere essential for cloud formation in the State and caused dry weather conditions and clear sky for the past few days. With the onset of north easterly winds and the weakening of the storm, more rain can be expected in the coming days and the minimum temperature would rise to normal, he said.

Doctors recommend liberal application of moisturiser to prevent skin-related problems during cold weather. Cosmetic dermatologist of Apollo Hospitals G.R. Ratnavel said applying moisturiser after a bath would protect the skin. Wearing winter clothes such as gloves and sweater would also be helpful.

Deficit rainfall

The Regional Meteorological Centre’s website said the north east monsoon rainfall in the city between October 1 and November 14 is deficit by 40 per cent.

Chennai received 27.9 cm of rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 46.3 cm during this period. However, the decrease in rainfall has not affected water storage .

The cumulative storage in four reservoirs is 8,254 million cubic feet (mcft) as against the full storage capacity of 11,057 mcft. Chennai Metrowater officials said that with the given storage, Chennai can be provided sufficient supply in the forthcoming year.