A cyclonic storm centred over southwest and southeast and westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 300 km east of Chennai, on Tuesday brought rainfall to the city, which was reeling under hot weather.
The storm, named ‘Laila' by the Meteorological Department, would initially move westwards bringing more rain to Chennai and neighbouring areas on Wednesday. Subsequently, it is expected to move in northerly direction and cross the Andhra Praesh coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam on Thursday. According to officials of the department, the spells of shower or thundershower would commence on Tuesday night. Squally weather with wind speed reaching up to 50-60 kmph is likely along north Tamil Nadu coast.
On Tuesday, the overcast sky for most part of the day provided a respite from the sultry weather that the city has been experiencing for a few days now. It also brought down the day temperature to the normal level. At Nungambakkam, the maximum temperature was 36 degree Celsius and at Meenambakkam 36.3 degree Celsius.
Many parts of the city, including Adyar, Egmore, Royapettah, Kilpauk and Vadapalani, received light showers in the evening.
Y. E. A. Raj, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, Chennai, said the rainfall was bound to provide considerable relief to the residents as the city recorded a maximum temperature of 37.7 degree Celsius on Monday. It was the highest day temperature this month.
Often, the mercury level soared when depression or cyclonic storm forms over the Bay of Bengal during summer as it brought in hot air and delayed onset of the sea breeze, he said.
