Chennai: The scary “Agni Nakshatram” will be here from Thursday and the very thought of the heat wave increasing during the period has raised concerns of people in this metropolis and elsewhere. Though the sweltering heat in Northern Tamil Nadu much before the onset of Agni Nakshatram has caused much inconvenience to people forcing them to stay indoors for most part of the second-half of the day, the MeT department is offering some solace.
MeT officials say the temperature is expected to hover around 40 degree Celsius during the Agni Nakshatram period – May 4 to May 28 – and even in worst case it would be around 41 degree Celsius. In fact, the temperature would come down in the coming days in Chennai, the officials said.
Though Agni Nakshatram would be manageable in Chennai and suburbs, the MeT department has warned of spike in temperature during the day in Krishnagiri, Salem, Tirupur and Dharmapuri districts. The officials also said northern districts like Cuddalore and Vellore might get a few showers in the coming days.
However, Chennai is to remain cool with the early setting of sea breeze.
“Agni Nakshatram does not relate to the rising heat conditions in this part of the year, but it is a general belief. Temperature will remain normal with a maximum rise of 1degree Celsius. Easterlies will keep the temperature moderate in the coming days with temperature ranging from 35C to 37C in Chennai and suburbs,” S. Balachandran, Director of Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, told Deccan Chronicle.
Agreeing with Mr Balachandran, weather blogger K. Srikanth said initial indications don’t show much difference in the weather trend. “Since westerlies have not yet set, heat conditions shall be normal till May 10,” he said. Another blogger S. Chandramouli says eve as Agni Nakshatram sets in weather will be moderate and can even bring relief to people as temperature can be below normal in coastal and interior areas owing to sea breeze.
“Thus, the worries of Chennaiites are to reduce as Agni Nakshatram shall not cast its worse affect,” he added. However, weather blogger S Ramachandran claims that Southwest monsoon is to arrive soon with its declaration being made in a month.
What is Agni Nakshatram?
Agni Nakshatram is the period when the Sun passes through star Krithika.
The period is considered to be the peak summer season in the Tamil calendar and this year it falls from May 4 to May 28.
