Date:21/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/21/stories/2008052159000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rain likely to bring relief today

Staff Reporter

Some parts of the city received a light drizzle on Tuesday

Photo: M.Vedhan

Taken by storm: Dusty winds in some parts of the city on Tuesday took motorists and pedestrians by surprise. A scene near the Ayanavaram bus terminus. —

CHENNAI: The city residents may get a respite from the scorching summer heat, as the Meteorological department says that shower or thundershowers are likely on Wednesday. Some parts of the city experienced a light drizzle on Tuesday.

The mercury level on Tuesday was 41.1 degrees Celsius at Nungambakkam and 40.3 degrees Celsius at Meenambakkam.

Highest temperature

The department’s observatory at Meenambakkam recorded a rainfall of 1.4 mm on Tuesday. The highest temperature so far this month was 42.1 degrees Celsius recorded on May 18.

Summer rains

According to a Meteorological department official, summer rains usually occur in mid-May.

The temperature is likely to come down with the possibility of rain in the next two days.

The onset of the southwest monsoon would determine the drop in temperature during the end of this month or early June.

There were instances when the monsoon had set in as early as May 25.

On few areas experiencing dusty wind, he said dust could rise in sandy locations due to heavy wind following cloud formation.