Sudden Rain and Thunderstorms Surprise Chennai; Flights Diverted
Chennai witnessed a surprising spell of summer rain and thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon, bringing relief from the scorching heat and disrupting daily routines across the city.
The showers, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds, caused a noticeable drop in temperatures. Nungambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 38.8°C, while Meenambakkam touched 39.6°C before the rainfall.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), rainfall (till 5:30 p.m.) in various locations was:
- Chembarambakkam: 34.5 mm
- Poonamallee: 25 mm
- Jaya Engineering College: 11.5 mm
- Nungambakkam: 11 mm
- Pallikaranai: 12 mm
- Meenambakkam: 8 mm
- Puzhal: 5.5 mm
- Tiruttani: 3.5 mm
There were reports of hailstones in Poonamallee, which officials attributed to strong updrafts within thunderclouds - a localized weather phenomenon.
The storm`s impact was also felt in Tiruvallur, where heavy winds caused a coconut tree to split and fall, damaging nearby trees. In Thoraipakkam, residents noted that skies darkened as early as 3:30 p.m., turning "almost like night."
Flight Disruptions at Chennai Airport
Due to the inclement weather, three incoming flights were diverted:
- Madurai-Chennai flight diverted to Tiruchi
- Tiruchi-Chennai flight returned to Tiruchi
- Singapore-Chennai flight diverted to Bengaluru
No cancellations were reported, but operations faced temporary delays due to poor visibility and wet runway conditions.
