Peak summer ‘Kathiri’ begins today

Met department sources said the State will witness extreme temperatures which might exceed 40 degrees Celsius for the next 25 days. 

Though the department warned residents not to venture out during the day time, it also has some good news in store - rains are likely to occur at isolated places over interior Tamil Nadu.

An official from the Meteorological Department, said, Agni  Nakshathram, which is calculated based on sun radiation, will continue till May 28 and the temperatures are expected to touch above  42 degree Celsius in many places. Heat wave is  expected to occur towards the west and southwest directions during the period.

Karur Paramathi recorded a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius today. But due to convective process, rainfall occurred at isolated places over Tamil Nadu. 

Shencottah and Pechiparai recorded a maximum rainfall of 6 cm followed by Ayikudi which recorded 5 cm. Kodaikanal, Watrap, Salem, Penucondapuram and Thenkasi recorded 3 cm. Sivagiri and Kuzhithurai recorded 2 cm.  Periyar and Bodinaickanur recorded 1 cm. 

In the next 24 hours, the MET predicted thunderstorm accompanied with gusty wind is likely to occur at isolated places over interior Tamil Nadu,' the official added.

Referring to Chennai's forecast, he said, 'The city's temperatures significantly dropped from the seasonal normal. Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 and 34.6 degrees Celsius. 

Minimum temperatures were 25 and 27.5 degrees Celsius at the two centres. Temperatures dropped by around 2 degrees Celsius from the seasonal normal. 

In the next 24 hours, the sky condition is likely to be partly cloudy.'