Chennai Weather Update: Meenambakkam Records 40.6°C Ahead of Agni Natchathiram, Rain Likely
Chennai witnessed intense summer heat on Sunday as Meenambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 40.6°C, the highest in the city so far this season. The spike comes just ahead of the onset of Agni Natchathiram, also known as Kathiri Veyil, which marks the peak summer period in Tamil Nadu.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), weather conditions are expected to change over the next few days, bringing some relief in the form of rainfall and thunderstorms across Chennai and other parts of the state.
Officials have issued a yellow alert for 14 districts, forecasting light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. The rainfall is attributed to favourable atmospheric conditions, including moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, along with a north–south trough extending across South India.
RMC Director V R Durai stated that increasing temperatures in coastal regions are likely to trigger convectional rainfall, especially during the evening hours. As a result, Chennai may experience brief spells of rain despite the prevailing heat.
Weather experts also noted that maximum temperatures may gradually decrease by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius until May 7, offering temporary relief. However, the heat is expected to intensify again during the third week of May.
Across Tamil Nadu, several districts recorded higher temperatures than Chennai. Vellore emerged as the hottest place in the state, followed by Tondi and Tiruttani, all recording temperatures above 42°C.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations in districts such as Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai. Similar weather conditions are expected to extend to southern districts including Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Pudukkottai between May 8 and 9.
With a mix of heat and rain expected, residents are advised to stay cautious, especially during thunderstorms and periods of intense sunlight. While short-term relief is likely due to cloud cover and rainfall, the overall summer intensity is expected to remain high in the coming weeks.
