It’s 40 degrees Celsius and rising in southern districts

The temperature has soared to 40 degree Celsius in parts of the state over the past few days, even before the onset of summer. This comes in the wake of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a warning that the 2018 summer would be hotter than usual. The IMD has warned that in Tamil Nadu, the temperature would be between 0.5 degrees and one degree higher than the average temperature rise registered so far. 

Early trends shows that the IMD prediction may not be off the target by much. Madurai was the first to register 40 degrees Celsius on Friday. Though the temperature subsided here by at least two degrees, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar touched 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday. However, the temperature is set to cross 40 degrees after April 1. 

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will experience dry weather. It may add to the heat index, thereby pushing up the temperature. 

Elders and children have already started feeling the heat. Water bodies have dried up and rural areas face a critical drinking water shortage, with women walking long distances to find water. The scarcity is set to increase in May. The rise in temperature is not just affecting humans but also birds.