After 80 long years, so much rainfall in 24 hours in August now!!
Posted on: 15/Aug/2023 9:08:28 AM
The news that Chennai recorded its second highest 24 hour rainfall for the month of August ending at 8:30 am on Monday has been the topic for discussion for many. During this period, the weather station at Meenambakkam recorded 90mm of rain. The Nungambakkam weather station recorded 71mm of rain.
It must be recalled that on 16th of August in 1943 the highest ever 24 hour rainfall for the month of August (98.7mm) was recorded. In other words, 80 years before, the highest 24 hour rainfall was recorded for August in Chennai.
It was brought to light by RMC in Chennai that the intense convective cells over CHENNAI, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur etc have been responsible for heavy to very heavy rains. In the last 24 hours, a total of 11 weather stations in Chennai and suburbs recorded 10mm of rain.
Information is that Korattur recorded the highest rainfall in TN with 14cm and it was followed by Tirur in Tiruvallur with 12cm. In Ambattur, 11cm of rain was recorded.
Localities in Chennai such as Mugalivakkam, Maduravoyal, Valasarawakkm wtc received 10cms of rain each. Places like Anna University, Kodambakkam and Teynampet received 8cms of rain.
Additional director general of meteorology, RMC, Chennai Mr. S. Balachandran mentioned that the region might receive heavy rainfall on Monday night too before the convective activity gets reduced from Tuesday. Till 20th of August, there would be light to moderate rainfall in some places belonging to Tamil Nadu. It is learnt that heavy rainfall warning was issued to places like Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Thiruvannamalai etc.
It was later revealed by a weather blogger Mr. K. Srikanth that around 400 cloud-to-ground strikes were reported in and around Chennai. He hinted that though thunderstorm activity was common in August but the kind of rains like this was rare. He concluded that the urban planners and the government must prepare themselves by taking into account these extreme weather events.
Point is that Chennai city has received 54percent excess rainfall and this was revealed by the seasonal rainfall from 1st June to 14th August. As against the normal of 228.7mm of rain, Chennai received 351.4mm of rain.
