Chennai, May 7:
Several parts of Tamil Nadu witnessed widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms on Wednesday due to an upper-air cyclonic circulation prevailing over the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining areas, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai.
Moderate to heavy rain with thunder and lightning was reported in districts including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari. Rainfall was also recorded in several northern districts and suburban parts of Chennai.
Despite the showers, temperatures remained above normal in several regions, with districts such as Karur, Erode, Vellore and Madurai recording temperatures close to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meteorological officials said an upper-air cyclonic circulation is currently positioned over the Gulf of Mannar at an altitude of around 1.5 kilometres above sea level. A trough extending from north interior Karnataka to the Gulf of Mannar through Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu is also influencing weather activity across the State.
The weather department has forecast continued rainfall and thunderstorms across several districts till May 11, particularly in western and southern Tamil Nadu. On May 12, districts including Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Pudukkottai are likely to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms.
Officials further stated that maximum temperatures across parts of the State are expected to gradually reduce by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius till May 10, bringing some relief from the summer heat. Residents in rain-prone districts have been advised to remain cautious during thunderstorms and lightning activity.