Heavy, sudden rain lashes several parts of Chennai

CHENNAI: After Chennaiites experienced dry weather for the past few days, on Monday, sudden rain lashed several parts of the city for about two hours. The Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) predicted moderate rain along with thunderstorm activity for 16 districts of Tamil Nadu for the next three hours.

Several areas, including Egmore, OMR, Ekkatuthangal, Arumbakkam and Pallavaram witnessed heavy showers. The sudden downpour brought problems like waterlogging and traffic gridlock with it.

Due to a change in westerly wind speed variation, the center stated that thunderstorm with moderate rain is likely to occur over Chennai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, the Nilgiris, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishangiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvannmalai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu for the next one - three hours.

In addition, the soaring maximum temperature in the city dipped by two - three degree Celsius on Monday. The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 35 degree Celsius and 32 degree Celsius respectively.

Tamil Nadu Weatherman Pradeep John tweeted that rains were expected but not this quantum. "Two districts, Trichy and Thanjavur, were pounded with massive showers. And Delta too got its share. Chennai is likely to experience rain today or tomorrow."

According to RMC, during the last 24 hours, the highest amount of rainfall was recorded in Tiruchy and Thanjavur with 17 cm each, followed by Thiruvarur 10 cm, Nagapattinam 9 cm, Cuddalore 8 cm of rainfall.