Air conditioners are still running in full blast and juice stalls are bustling with crowds as the blistering heat continues unabated even in July. For the second time this month, the mercury level soared beyond the 40-degree mark in the city on Saturday.
Chennai has been sizzling with the temperature between 38.5 and 40 degree Celsius for over a week now. On Saturday, the day temperature touched 40.1 degree Celsius in Nungambakkam and 39.1 degree Celsius in Meenambakkam. The mercury level had previously touched 40.1 degree Celsius on July 2.
It has become extremely difficult to travel during the day as hot winds blow till late in the evening.
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R. Das, who runs a juice shop, said there has been a 40 per cent increase in customers visiting the shop with crowds swelling during weekends. But fruit prices are high due to lack of rains.
Chennai will have to bear with the soaring temperature as the meteorological department forecasts that the day temperature will further rise by three degree Celsius in the next two days. Officials of the meteorological department said such weather was possible even in July as the Southwest monsoon has become weak. “There is no weather system in Bay of Bengal or Arabian sea. This led to a change in wind direction. The northwesterly wind that brings hot and dry air from land is blowing in many parts of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh,” an official said.
This trend will continue till the monsoon revives in the region.
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However, there may be brief respite during evening or night hours when rain or thundershowers may occur, officials add.