#chennai - Nothing in terms of Rain for today. Going to be a Dry and HOT night.

#chennai - now we can see low cloud formations to south-south-west and some over to west. We'll keep it updated.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya and Arunachal Prad.in 48 h

High tides in Chennai too... http://is.gd/1LO8H

http://ping.fm/b0AVM .. satellite pic shows:: Mostly clear India with some rains over North-east and noteable feature BAY is active.

High tides in Chennai too...

A sense of understated fear wafted in the shore areas of Chennai as memories of a distant disastrous day came in waves, with the sea water encroaching into unchartered territories.

Though the tides were predicted by the Met officials, the rise in sea water in places like Srinivasapuram and Pattinapakkam, rang alarm bells among the residents, while the thoughts of tsunami hung in the area like the persistent smell of fish that the area is quite famous for. The sea water entered many hutment dotting the quaint coast of Chennai.

But even as Chennai’s shoreline was washed with warm waters of a turbulent sea, Mumbai was being lashed with high tides. According to reports, nearly 200 people have been evacuated from coastal areas, warnings have been sent out to those in low-lying regions and schools have advised students to stay at home as the financial capital braces for a massive 5.5 metre high tidal wave, billed as the highest in 100 years, to lash it Friday afternoon.

The high tide was expected to hit Mumbai and the surrounding Konkan region at 2.05 p.m. The waters will ebb only after three to four hours, met officials said. In the past two days, as waves measuring 4.85 and 5.1 metres lashed Mumbai, civic and disaster management authorities evacuated people — mostly shanty dwellers — from vulnerable areas like Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Andheri, Jogeshwari and even parts of neighbouring Thane.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has issued warnings to people in low-lying areas to watch out for the gigantic tide Friday and take adequate precautions. On Thursday, sea water rushed into several buildings in Cuffe Parade, Worli, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Andheri, Juhu, Khar and Malad.

However, for many Mumbaikars, the tides offered a rare view of a natural phenomenon after clouds obscured the solar eclipse Wednesday. Thousands of people excitedly saw the tides from a safe distance at places like Colaba, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Worli Sea-Face, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach and Marve Beach yesterday. Today, greater numbers were at hand to witness the nature erupting in joy or anger

Monsoon calling visitors to Kerala

So the Monsoon is knocking the door of India and refreshing shower is also received at many places across the country. Monsoon, oohhhhhhh, whenever we pronounce this word, it feels our mind and body with new energy and every time our urge increases to experience it ourselves. God’s own country Kerala, becomes more beautiful in during monsoon and attract honeymooners and common travellers from across the globe.

If the word Monsoon and its unique experience have lured you, then don’t wait, just pull out one or two weeks vacation from your busy schedule this monsoon and head straight towards Kerala. Blessed with natural beauty, Kerala beckons tourists in the monsoons for a fantastic vacation. Here in Kerala you can refresh yourself in the invigorating monsoon rain or luxuriate in the simplest of pleasures in exotic resorts or gaze at the spectacle of caparisoned elephants or even enjoy a joy ride atop one. Besides, tranquil backwaters, clean beaches, rich and varied wildlife and colourful festivals altogether make Kerala an unparalleled tourist destination.

Personally I suggest you to combine monsoon and Ayurveda, and you will return home with never before experience. Acccording to Ayurveda practitioners, the soothing monsoon season from June to October is the best time for Ayurveda. Experts say, during monsoon the body remains most receptive to the therapeutic and restorative powers of herbs and oil. Hence, an Ayurveda vacation to Kerala in the moonsoon is the best way to refresh, rejuvenate, replenish and renew your body and soul.

Kerala’s pleasant climate and natural abundance of forests make it a perfect destination for Ayurveda treatments. In fact, Kerala is the only place in the world, where the 5,000 year old healthcare system is practiced with absolute authenticity and dedication.

During monsoon Kerala Tourism organises several innovating programmes like ‘Rainwalks’ in Trivandrum and Fort Kochi. In Trivandrum, the tour takes you along the heritage area of East Fort dotted with old forts, palaces and temples. The monsoon showers will provide the perfect background to unveil the story of a unique town set around centuries-old temple having its own culture and distinct way of life. Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala lurer travellers to her shores. Here tree-lined avenues and quaint little lanes house the many treasures left behind by the Dutch, Portuguese, Chines and the British. Fort Kochi’s rich legacy can be best experienced with rainwalks.

Monsoon Holiday Packages for Kerala are offered by travel agents that covers almost all major and minor tourist destinations of the state. Most packages are aimed to suit both domestic and foreign tourists with a wide range of options to choose from. So, book a monsoon tour package, move to Kerala to rejoice in the rains with your dear ones.

Some heavy rainfall records for 24-Jul-09:: Naliya-30, Mahabaleshwar & Long Island-9 each, Okha-6, Bhuj, Passighat & Mayabandar-5 cm each

#chennai - temperature getting down fast, now 2:49pm it's 34.3°C

#chennai - very hot day at 39.8°C (1:44pm)..almost 40.