Chennai: As the scorching summer sun beats down relentlessly, various parts of north and coastal Tamil Nadu, including the capital city of Chennai, are bracing themselves for a significant rise in temperatures, with the mercury expected to climb above 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
On Thursday, the Meenambakkam weather station in Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 38.1 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), a figure that is anticipated to surge to 40 degrees Celsius within the next two days.
The oppressive heatwave is even more pronounced in other parts of the state, with five districts already recording temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius over the past few days. Erode district, in particular, has borne the brunt of the scorching sun, with temperatures soaring to 41.2 degrees Celsius for four consecutive days.
Weather experts attribute this unrelenting heat to dry weather conditions prevailing over Tamil Nadu, coupled with a wind discontinuity over the sea. As a result, the maximum temperature is expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal levels.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has issued a warning indicating that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the state, with temperatures soaring 4 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal in some areas from April to June. Coastal and hilly regions are also expected to experience soaring temperatures, with the maximum temperature ranging from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.
S Balachandran, Additional Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said the IMD brought out a seasonal outlook for the entire country. Cloudless conditions and winds oscillating between westerlies and easterlies could influence day temperatures. Regions closer to the coast, such as Chennai, had a shift in winds to easterlies by Tuesday morning. Weak winds also led to an increase in temperature. The IMD has forecast that Chennai will experience a maximum temperature of 33-34 degrees Celsius till Thursday.
In Chennai and its suburbs, temperatures are forecasted to hover around 37 to 38 degrees Celsius over the next two days. However, weather bloggers have cautioned that certain areas in north Tamil Nadu and west of Chennai may witness temperatures crossing the 40-degree mark for the next four days. Additionally, districts in west Tamil Nadu, including Erode, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, and Salem, are expected to experience intense heat, with temperatures reaching 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.
As the heatwave intensifies, authorities are advising residents to take necessary precautions to stay cool and hydrated, while also urging vulnerable populations to seek shelter to avoid heat-related illnesses.