Onset of the North-East monsoon
Posted on: 22/Oct/2013 9:54:44 AM
Heavy downpour continued to lash the Chennai city from Sunday. This is the indicator for the onset of the North-East monsoon. The monsoon was expected to begin by 22 October, but rainfall started in Chennai two days in advance. The day in Chennai started with a minimum temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius in Nungambakkam and 22.5 degrees Celsius in Meenambakkam. Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), said the rain is an indicator of the North-East monsoon setting in. Nungambakkam received rainfall of 10 cm while it was 7 cm in Meenambakkam. Rain and thundershowers are expected in Chennai and other parts of Tamilnadu in the next 24 hours. A holiday was declared for schools and colleges in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts today following heavy rain overnight.
The continuous rain meant water logging in several interior roads. Traffic snarls were reported during peak hours this morning. Those going to office had to rely on autorickshaws. The situation was bad in several subways as pedestrians and motorists had to wade through knee-deep water.
In Anna Salai, Nungambakkam High Road and some parts of GST Road, traffic police personnel had a tough time regulating the traffic amidst steady down pour. The civic authorities could be spotted at several areas to ensure that water logging was cleared and necessary relief work carried out.
