Rains likely in Chennai over next 4-5 days

Chennai: Chennaiites can enjoy pleasant weather for the next four to five days as a relatively weaker southwest monsoon has turned a boon to the city.

Apart from the state capital, the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are expected to receive sudden bursts of rains in the coming days, say weather experts.

Rainfall has also reduced temperatures in the city. According to the officials from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the city (Nungambakkam station) witnessed 33 degrees, a departure of 2.9 degrees from the normal July temperature on Saturday. Meenambakkam, on the other hand noted 32.9 degrees, which is a departure of 3.3 degrees from the normal.

K. Srikanth who blogs at Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam,  attributed the rains to the convection activity coupled with the weaker southwest monsoon.  "As the monsoon is weak, the sea breeze is setting in. However, it is expected to intensify in the mid of next week," said Srikanth.

It means that a poor southwest monsoon, which brings in rainfall in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, is a good sign for Chennai and other coastal districts. So, a stronger monsoon next week will reduce rains in the city. Chennai's Nungambakkam station has received 7mm of rainfall on Saturday, while other stations like Adirampatnam noted 33.7mm. Valparai recorded 20.6mm and Vellore noted 7.2mm.

Explaining the significance of southwest monsoon, the blogger said: "Most of the dams in Tamil Nadu are dependent on southwest monsoon. "According to weather models, parts of Sivagangai, Pudukottai and Ramanad will receive good rains and a day of modest rains is due for the delta region.