Chennai district has registered rainfall in excess of 68 per cent over the average since June 1, which officials of the Meteorological department describe as “an unusual phenomenon.”
They attributed the pleasant weather and rainfall to the southwest monsoon, which is good for the State, considering that it is a rain shadow region.
Major share of the rain in the State is registered during the northeast monsoon.
Since June 1, the weather observatories in the district, including in Tambaram, recorded a rainfall of 211 mm against the normal 126 mm. Owing to the rainfall, the maximum temperature remained below normal on many days this month.
On Wednesday, it dropped to 28.9 degree Celsius, six degree Celsius below the average temperature.
The observatories in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded rainfall of 2.2 mm and 3.5 mm respectively between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Many residents said the weather was similar to that experienced in winter due to murky sky and intermittent showers through the day. Evening showers in the past few days have left some of the low-level areas, particularly in suburbs, water-logged.
Y. E. A. Raj, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, said it was unusual for the city to be wet and receive such rainfall during July. Chennai normally receives more rainfall in August and September.
Forecast
The cyclonic circulation over west central Bay of Bengal, which is tilting southwards, is also one of the reasons for the cloudy days, he added. Chennai would experience rain or thundershower for the next two days.
The showers in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring States seem to have brought down the vegetable price at the Koyambedu wholesale market.
The price of many vegetables has dipped by at least Rs.10 per kg in the past four days.
Tomatoes dearer
Traders in the market said tomatoes, however, continued to be expensive as the crops had been affected by rainfall.
While one kg of tomatoes costs Rs.30 in the wholesale market, it is being sold in retail shops for Rs.40-Rs.45 per kg.
Less demand
V. R. Soundararajan, member of Koyambedu Market Management Committee, said there had been a decrease in demand as only a few weddings take place this season.
On the other hand, the market receives better arrivals. This has led to the dip in prices of most of the vegetables.
