Rain brings respite to Madurai, south TN

Madurai: After days of being under the sweltering sun, residents of Madurai heaved a sigh of relief as sudden showers in many parts of the city on Friday afternoon, left behind a cooling effect. Thanks to the rain, the maximum daytime temperature in Madurai city dropped to 35.6 C after hovering around 38 C or higher during the past couple of weeks.

Areas including streets near Meenakshi Amman temple, Kamarajar Salai, South Gate, Munichalai, Balarengapuram, Chokkikulam, Mattuthavani, and Melur, among others received rain.

“Even after the showers, the day remained a little cloudy and light drizzles were seen. It is a refreshing change and such showers could help keep the scorching heat during afternoons in check. It is worrying that temperatures are already high. With Chithirai festival underway, authorities should take steps to ensure free drinking water in all spots where crowds gather,” said T Kannan, a resident of Kamarajar Salai.

Parts of Dindigul, including Natham also received rain on Friday. Meanwhile, several areas in Tirunelveli district and the city received torrential rainfall starting from Thursday night. Servalaru dam recorded 80mm rainfall while hilly areas like Manjolai, Kakkachi and Oothu received 70mm rainfall. On Friday, showers were witnessed in many parts of Tirunelveli city and Tenkasi. Similarly, Tuticorin city also received rain in several areas such as Beach Road, Bryant Nagar, and State Bank Colony.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall at one or two places with thunderstorms and lightning at one or two places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday. Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at one or two places over south Tamil Nadu, delta districts and Karaikal area. Dry weather is likely to prevail over the rest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday.

IMD also said that there is no major change in maximum temperatures during the next two days and there will be a gradual rise during the subsequent three days. Humidity is likely to be about 30 to 50% in the afternoon hours and 40 to 70% during the rest of the day over the plains of interior districts and 50 to 80% humidity over coastal areas during the next five days.

We also published the following articles recently

Light rains, thunder hit several areas of Rajasthan Light rains with thunder reported in Rajasthan over 24 hours. Jaipur's Meteorological Centre recorded rain in various divisions. Jaisalmer, Bhopalgarh had highest rainfall. Cloudy skies, intermittent light rains, max temp 37.8C.

Rain lashes several parts of Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, faces heavy rainfall causing waterlogging. People seek shelter amid downpour. Indian Meteorological Department reports rainfall data. Tirupattur records high temperature. Concerns arise over rainfall and high temperatures impact on residents and infrastructure.

Sultry Friday saps citizens, rain hope in high humidity Puneites experienced high humidity and soaring temperatures on Friday, with discomfort caused by increased moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea. The IMD Pune highlighted cloudiness trapping radiation, leading to elevated night temperatures.