The summer rains lashed Tamil Nadu and Kerala bringing much-needed respite from the sweltering heat. Parts of Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Nagapattinam, and Chennai, received significant rainfall on Thursday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the rainfall will continue over the Western Ghats, Chennai, and southern districts for the next few days. On Thursday, rain lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu late last night.
ALSO READ: Southwest Monsoon Expected To Arrive In Kerala By May 31, Says IMD
In Kerala, daytime temperatures dropped by 1 to 4.5 degrees Celsius. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) also breathed a sigh of relief as daily power consumption, which had been soaring at an alarming rate, dropped by around 25 million units, and peak demand declined by 1,500 MW.
On the reason for the rains, IMD said, "A cyclonic circulation lies over southwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining south Sri Lanka and extends upto 4.5 km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards with height. A trough runs from the cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal & adjoining south Sri Lanka to Lakshadweep between 1.5 km & 4.5 km above mean sea level."
"Yesterday’s cyclonic circulation over southeast Arabian sea & adjoining Kerala extending upto 1.5 km above mean sea level has merged with the above system. Southwest Monsoon is very likely to advance into South Andaman Sea, some parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal
and Nicobar Islands around 19th May, 2024," it said.
Meanwhile, IMD announced on Wednesday that the Southwest Monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around May 31, marking the beginning of the crucial four-month rainfall season essential for India's agricultural sector.
The IMD said: "This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on 31st May with a model error of ± 4 days."