Chennai: A residue of the northeast monsoon system is all set to bring rains to drought-hit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from January 20, in an unusual scenario for the month of January.
The weeklong moderate-to-heavy rains likely to make a comeback after the official end of the monsoon (on December 31) is expected to improve ground water table and reduce the plights of farmers.
Widespread rains can be expected across the state from the night of January 20, due to the system that has formed at Thailand, which is moving towards Bay of Bengal.
“A trough of low which has formed over Gulf of Thailand is likely to move westwards during the next three to four days. Light to moderate rains is expected, under its influence, at Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the adjoining areas between 20 and 26 of this month,” said S. Balachandra, Director of Regional Meteorological Centre.
Against the normal January rainfall of a mere 2 cm, weather experts predict at least 10 cm rainfall during the two major spells expected on January 20 and 24.
“Rains on January 21 would be mostly along North Tamil Nadu coast. However, heavy rains can be expected for at least two days from January 23, all along the TN coast,” said weather blogger, Hrishi Jawahar.
“The strong presence of easterly wave favors significant rains. Prominent models also suggest a system at the end of the month that could bring widespread showers,” said weather blogger Bhaskaran Shivaraman.
“January, this year is likely to be exceptional. A similar phenomenon of above average rains (17cm for Chennai) was last observed in 1995. Chennai had an all-time high rains of 24.4 cm in January of 1915,” said weather blogger, Pradeep John. “Due to the presence of moisture laden clouds, the state will see a rise in night temperature,” he said.
