Sudden downpour throws Chennai traffic out of gear

CHENNAI: The city experienced a sudden downpour on Saturday afternoon leaving hundreds , including office-goers, stranded at bus stops and railway platforms. Several roads and subways were inundated and traffic was thrown out of gear. Meteorology Department officials said the observatory in Nungambakkam recorded 30 mm of rain during the 12 hours ending 8.30 p.m. on Saturday. The Meenambakkam observatory registered 38.7 mm during the same period. Weather officials said the heat during the daytime helped the development of thunder cloud activity.

According to S.R. Ramanan, Director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai has been experiencing unstable weather due to a combination of factors. The development of convective clouds generated in the evening, after intense heat in the day, causes rain, he said. The city has also been experiencing rain due to local thunderstorm activity. This weather is expected to be like this till the end of this month.

Deputy Director-General of Meteorology Department Y.E.A. Raj said it was not unusual to have thundershowers in the evenings during southwest monsoon. “This year, we have had more rain compared to previous years. The rainfall occurs two to three hours after sea breeze sets in as it brings more moisture to the coast,” he said. The sun has been playing hide and seek with the clouds for the past few weeks. This month, so far, the City and Airport has received 84 mm and 117 mm of rainfall respectively, which is much more than the average in June

Courtesy : The Hindu