Wettest summer in 100 years cools Kovai

So far (until Saturday), Coimbatore received 318 mm of rainfall in the months of March, April and May.

“There has been no such major downpour in the last 100 years. This is perhaps the wettest summer on record,” said S Panneerselvam, professor and head of Agro Climate Research Centre at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

So far in May, when the scorching sun usually is at its peak, 255 mm of rainfall has been recorded, almost thrice the average 67 mm received annually by Coimbatore.

The district recorded 18 mm in March, compared to the normal 17 mm, and 45 mm in April as against the average 52 mm.

The TNAU, in its last forecast, had predicted normal rain of 138 mm, but it has poured more than double this time. “This heavy downpour is due to pressure variation and upper air circulation from over the Arabian Sea to low pressure areas in the north and north-western parts of the country. The movement of air gathered moisture from the sea resulting in rain in Coimbatore,” said S Panneerselvam. The district is expected to receive more showers in the coming days.

Panneerselvam said this summer was somewhat similar to the 2015 season, when the district not only received good rain of 262 mm but also maintained a similar weather pattern.

As the skies remained overcast throughout May, people escaped the heat with the temperature remaining relatively low. The average maximum temperature for the month stood at 33.5 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature was 23.4 degrees Celsius. Normally, the average maximum temperature used to hover over 35 degrees Celsius.

The heavy downpour has helped recharge the groundwater table and fill up tanks and waterbodies in the region.