After noticing the presence of northeasterly winds along the east coast, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD on Friday declared the onset of the monsoon. Several parts of the State, including the city, received rainfall.
According to the IMD’s weather inference, monsoon rains have started over the southern peninsula, including Puducherry, Kerala and south coastal Andhra Pradesh. A cyclonic circulation over the southeast Tamil Nadu and the neighbourhood has accelerated the onset of the monsoon.
During the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, Mettupatti in Madurai district received the highest volume of rainfall at 8 cm. While rain continued over many other parts of the State, Chennai experienced only scattered rainfall till late evening. However, officials noted the rainfall is expected gradually increase in the coming days.
S. Balachandran, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said south Tamil Nadu is likely to get more rain than the northern parts on Saturday.
While most areas would enjoy moderate showers, there are chances for one or two places to get heavy rainfall too in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. As the monsoon picks up pace, most places would get rainfall from Monday.
Chennai remained relatively cool on Friday as the weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded close to the normal temperature of 31.7 degree Celsius and 32 degree Celsius respectively. Some areas received light showers during the evening.
The Meteorological Department forecasts that the same weather pattern will continue during the weekend as rain or thundershowers may occur in the city.