Chennai weather not so alarming, say experts

Chennai: Wiping away misconceptions about 2016 being the hottest summer, weathermen have said Chennai weather is not alarming like Jammu &Kashmir and Haryana.

Though the city is experiencing harsh temperatures from mid-February, officials of Regional Meteorological Centre said it was anticipated and normal.

“Average temperature in January and February had exceeded by up to two degree Celsius, which is normal. The situation  can be considered serious if it exceeds five degree Celsius which is observed in Jammu and Kashmir,” said deputy director-general for IMD S.B. Thampi.

As the actual summer in the city starts from April, we could analyse only by March end about the temperature, said meteorological department sources.“I started getting a sun stroke by the start of February. I wonder how May would be.” said L. Gangeswar, a marketing professional.

Department officials said over a normal rainfall of 31.4 mm (from Jan-Feb), the state received only 2.9 mm. Independent weather blogger T. Gokul said the data would not have an impact on summer. “As it is a harvest season, the recorded less rainfall is not considered,” he added. It is the extension of northeast monsoon that brings rain to the state during January and February. But weather bloggers said the pattern of northeast monsoon was erratic and difficult to predict.

However, optimism is on for slight May showers, which is essential for ripening of mangoes in northern interior districts of Tamil Nadu, AP and Kerala.