Chennai, May 30:
A significant shift in weather conditions is underway across Tamil Nadu as dense cloud formations—popularly referred to as “orange mittai” clouds—move towards the northern coastal belt.
According to Tamil Nadu Weatherman, these clouds are expected to reduce the intensity of the ongoing heatwave in Chennai while triggering rainfall across several interior districts.
These thundercloud clusters have originated from regions over Odisha and north coastal Andhra Pradesh, traveling more than 1,000 kilometers toward the Tamil Nadu coast. Although such systems typically weaken as they approach Chennai, they still play a crucial role in moderating temperatures.
In recent days, Chennai recorded a scorching 41°C, but with increasing cloud cover, temperatures are expected to drop by 2 to 3 degrees, staying below the 40°C mark. This marginal decline is likely to offer much-needed relief to residents grappling with extreme summer heat.
While Chennai and its surrounding coastal areas—including Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu—may not receive widespread heavy rainfall, the incoming clouds are expected to push moisture inland. This could lead to isolated showers in parts of the city and nearby regions, accompanied by overcast skies and increased humidity.
In contrast, the interior districts of northern Tamil Nadu are set to experience more active weather conditions. A broad stretch from Kanchipuram to Bengaluru and extending up to Erode is likely to witness thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall. Districts such as Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Dharmapuri, Salem, Krishnagiri, Kallakurichi, and Namakkal are expected to receive significant showers through the day.
Meteorologists note that Chennai and its adjoining areas remain among the few regions in the state still experiencing temperatures around 40°C. Therefore, even a slight dip in temperature combined with cloud cover is being welcomed as a positive development. The current weather pattern indicates a gradual transition away from peak summer conditions, raising hopes for more widespread rainfall activity in the coming days.