On Day One, Kathiri fries most of TN at above 4oºC

Most of the districts across the State recorded temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and above on Saturday, the Day One of Kathiri (Agni Nakshatram).

Fani, the severe cyclonic storm which formed over the Bay of Bengal, not only sucked all the moisture from the air while approaching the east coast, but also with Agni Nakshatram commencing from Saturday, several parts of the State are set to swelter under extreme heat conditions, RMCofficials said.

The heat wave is expected to continue in districts like Tiruttani, Vellore, Tiruvallur, Chennai, Dharmapuri, Tiruchy, Karur, Madurai, and Sivaganga in the next 24 hours.

The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a warning stating that several parts of Tamil Nadu will reel under a heat wave till Monday. On Saturday, Tiruttani recorded 44 degree Celsius, followed by Vellore at 43.2 degree Celsius. Madurai saw maximum temperature of 41.2 degree Celsius, while Tiruchy and Karur recorded 41.1 degree Celsius and 40.2 degree Celsius respectively.

The city also witnessed high temperatures on Saturday with Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recording a maximum of 38.8 degree Celsius and 39.6 degree Celsius respectively.

RMC officials added that though Chennai will remain cloudy on Monday, maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 42 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius respectively. As Agni Nakshatram will last for the next 25 days, the mercury will rise further as the easterlies will not return to the city. Weather blogger Pradeep John also said that hot days are to continue with Chennai airport reaching 40 degree Celsius already.

“While the sea breeze has reached Chennai after temperatures touched 39 degrees Celsius, this trend will continue in the coming week. Vellore, Karur, Madurai, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Villupuram, Perambalur, Ariyalur will continue to sizzle,” the weather blogger added.