It has been a slow start to the peak summer locally referred to as Kathri in city. The day temperature has remained close to normal in Chennai and its suburbs for the past two days.
Officials of the meteorological department said the changing wind pattern and early onset of sea breeze has kept day temperature from soaring in the city. Normally, the period between May 4 and May 28 is considered as peak summer.
On Friday, the weather station in Nungambakkam recorded 35.1 degree Celsius, which is nearly one degree lower than the average for May. Meenambakkam, which is away from the coastline, recorded a slightly higher maximum temperature of 37.4 degree Celsius.
Even as residents complain of much higher ‘real feel’ temperature during the day, the meteorological department has forecast that the city will experience a close to normal day temperature of 36 degree Celsius this weekend.
Water crisis
Peak summer days have also renewed concerns about dipping water supply and how water authorities will be tackling the water crisis. While residents of several areas across the city complain about decreasing piped water supply, residents of Pulianthope note that drinking water supplied through street taps in some streets like Polu Street gets wasted.
M.P. Damu, a resident of Pulianthope, said the valves were not closed properly and this often led to waste of precious resource.
He alleged that some people fetch water in bubbletops and sell it as packaged drinking water.
As more residents are opting for paid tanker water supply, people are complaining about a delay in receiving tanker water. At present, Chennai Metrowater is operating about 6,000 tanker trips daily. In a bid to provide more avenues to book for paid water supply, the agency has planned to launch two more services from May 8.
Customers may book online for mobile water supply on www.chennaimetrowater.
com and a text message would be sent to their phones. Complaints may be registered online about delay in supply.
Besides contacting filling points for tanker water, residents may also contact 45674567.
The online booking system would also be monitored, according to a press release.
