Tamil Nadu received 53 per cent more rain than average in 2015

Chennai: Chengalpattu, the south-western suburb of Chennai city in Kancheepuram district, is likely to be the wettest station in TN recording an astonishing 2,300 mm (approx) of rain during this northeast monsoon period startingOctober 1 to December 31. Overall, the state received 53 per cent excess rainfall in 2015.

Other stations in contention for the top wettest spots and probably breached 2,000 mm rainfall mark are Papanasam in Tirunelveli district, Tambaram in Kancheepuram district and Kelambakkam station on Old Mamallapuram Road (OMR), reliable sources in weather office told Deccan Chronicle.

S.R. Ramanan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said Chengalpattu is definitely the favourite, but the data will be released in a couple of days

Monsoon drawing to a close: Ramanan
As far as Chennai is concerned, it received double the rainfall than normal. Chennai recorded 1,608.6 mm of rainfall as against normal rainfall of 789.9 mm. Ramanan attributed the unprecedented rain to slow movement of weaker systems present over Bay of Bengal. “As the clouds above the sea were normal, the weaker systems like trough, low pressure moved slowly bringing copious rainfall,” he said.

Giving a detailed analysis of rain for Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry with the help of graphic presentation, Ramanan said quick systems, including trough, low pressure moving slowly towards the Tamil Nadu coast and at times remaining stationary for days has pounded the coastal districts just like it did in 2005.

In 2013, the state received 33 per cent less rainfall than average and in 2014, October saw heavy rain but less activity in November and December. “It was because the systems were fast moving and drifted away from the TN coast”. In response to a query, Ramanan said systems failed to move towards Gulf of Mannar region, which denied south interior  districts getting good rainfall. He said formation of El Nino in Pacific Ocean was one of the reasons for occurrence of extreme rainfall.  

“The monsoon has almost ceased, but for it to be officially announced, there shouldn’t be rainfall for 4-5 days. On Thursday, Pechchiparai in Kanyakumari received 4 mm rainfall. So, there is still some sporadic rainfall activity in the state.”

Days to be warmer, nights colder: According to the forecast, north interior and adjourning north coastal Tamil Nadu would see a drop in temperatures, especially night temperature by 1 to 1.5 degrees. The days will be warmer with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees in first week of January.