Not all hope is lost. The northeast monsoon may revive in the city by the first week of December.
Chennai, which receives the most rains in November, has suffered a prolonged dry spell this month.
The weather observatories in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded just 5 cm and 7 cm of rains, well below the average of 38 cm for the month. This is the least rainfall Chennai has recorded in November, the wettest month in the year, over the last 43 years.
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With the southwest monsoon failing to bring enough rainfall to the city, Chennaiites were looking forward to the northeast monsoon. However, this season beginning October, Chennai has registered only 47 cm so far against the average of 69 cm.
Officials of the Meteorological department said previously, the November rains had been poor in 2003 and 2007. Only 9 cm rainfall was recorded in both years.
Nungambakkam recorded less than 10 cm of rains in November only thrice since 1969 and Meenambakkam only twice in 43 years. However, a good spell of showers in December compensated for the lack of November rains in 1983 and 2007.
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“We are hoping the same trend repeats this year too,” said an official.
A weak system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring rainfall particularly to coastal Tamil Nadu from December 4 onwards.
The rain spell may last three or four days, the official said.