Chennai burns, Meenambakkam crosses 42 degree C

This is the highest this year, and is the second highest temperature recorded in the month of June in at least a decade since 2009. And the weathermen have predicted that the situation would continue in the coming couple of days.

On Friday, Nungambakkam recorded 41.5 degree Celsius while it was 42.1 degree at Meenambakkam. Such is the spike in temperature that these were 4.6 degree and 4.7 degree Celsius departure from the normal, show data from the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.

Among the other stations, Tiruttani in neighbouring Tiruvallur district recorded a scorching 44 degree Celsius, while it was 42.2 degree at Vellore district. In all, of the 28 weather stations here, including the one at Puducherry Union Territory, 10 crossed 40 degree Celsius mark.

According to the Meteorological department, the situation in the city and its surroundings, and many other parts of the State, is expected to remain the same for the next couple of days. The maximum temperature is likely to be above normal by two to four degree Celsius above normal at districts including Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram that form the metropolis, and also Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Madurai, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchy, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts.

The weathermen have advised the public not to expose themselves to direct sunlight between 11 am and 4 pm to avoid sunstroke.