NE monsoon’s worst show in Oct-Nov for 2nd time in 200 yrs

Officials from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said they were continuously monitoring cyclonic systems and ruled out any possibility of rains in the next one week. The officials added that rainfall in the city should have surpassed at least over 400 mm at this juncture but there was a record low of just 73 mm rain. Dr S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, RMC, said “Chennai city has so far seen very less rainfall as the NE monsoon did not intensify. Going by the present climatic condition, there will be no rain till December 1, after which there seems to be a high possibility,”. 

Asked if such a thing has happened in the last two decades, the director admitted that it may be possible. Pradeep John, a city-based weather blogger, said “It was a fact that in the last 200 years, this is the second time, the city is facing such a rain crisis. Firstly, Chennai saw a very low rainfall of just 64.3 mm in 1904. However, we can expect rains during December first week,” he said and added that by this time (November 24), the city should have recorded 564 mm of rains on an average.