The northeast monsoon, which brings a major share of Chennai’s rain, is likely to set in late by two or three days. Meteorologists said it would bring in more rainfall than usual.
The northeast monsoon may set in between October 20 and 25, said Y.E.A. Raj, deputy director general, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, releasing this year’s forecast on Tuesday. The department forecasts that the State may receive 12 per cent more than what it usually gets. On an average, Tamil Nadu receives 438.2 mm of rainfall during the season.
The delay is attributed to the fact that the southwest monsoon is yet to withdraw. Usually, the northeast monsoon sets in around October 20. Officials of the meteorological department said the State gets nearly 50 per cent of its annual rainfall between October and December. Chennai too gets most of its yearly rainfall of 140 cm during the northeast monsoon.
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The city and its fringes are expected to receive showers during the next 2-3 days following a depression that developed 1,520 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. Areas such as Poonamallee and Porur recorded rains on Tuesday.
Officials said that it is expected to intensify into a deep depression and a cyclonic storm before it crosses the coast between north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in three days. Chennai and districts such as Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri are expected to receive rains. Once this cyclonic storm dissipates, the southwest monsoon is likely to begin withdrawing across the country, giving way to the northeast monsoon over southern states.
The department forecasts that the rains or thundershowers may occur in some areas during evening or night till Thursday. Chennai may experience a maximum temperature of 34 degree Celsius, which is slightly above normal.
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