Chennai: Chennai experienced its wettest day in May in six years Tuesday with 12.7cm of rainfall recorded in the city (Nungambakkam). During the Laila cyclone in 2010, the city had received 19 cms on May 19 and 20, 2010. That record was crushed by the rainfall on Tuesday, with the 12.7 cm beating the 10.9 cm on May 20, 2010.
The intermittent showers, some heavy, for the second consecutive day threw normal life out of gear in Chennai and in the northern districts. The rain and the water logging brought back memories in Chennaiites of the December deluge of 2015. The Met department officials are warning of more heavy rain to come and, as a precaution, asked people to stay indoors.
In the course of the rainy day, the state government instructed district collectors to monitor the impact of rains and a dedicated control room was also opened at the commissionerate of revenue administration. In a release, the state government said those who wish to register rain related complaints can contact state helpline number 1070 and Chennai residents can contact 1913 to register complaints.
The Met office on Tuesday, predicted more rains with the depression intensifying into a deep depression by early Wednesday morning. Director of Regional Meteorological Centre, S. Balachandran forecast intense rains of more than 25 cms in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Tiruvannamalai districts. Northern Tamil Nadu districts including Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur and Pudukottai would experience over 12 cms of rainfall.
Fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea in the next 48 hours.
Astro-meteorologist, S Ramachandran said that the probability of cyclone formation is less. "If the depression doesn't drift, cyclone may form between May 18 and 25," he added. Traveling at 70kmph, the system which would come close to Chennai coast and curve along Andhra Coast, mentioned Tamil Nadu Weather blogger Pradeep John.
On Tuesday, Chennai airport recorded 11.5cms of rainfall while Nungambakkam station recorded 12.7cms of rainfall. Storage levels in the city reservoirs have seen a slight rise as Poondy recorded 902 mcft on Tuesday. Levels at Cholavaram, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam were recorded at 84 mcft, 1671 mcft and 2374mcft respectively.
