With half the monsoon season gone, the state has received only 10 per cent excess rainfall. Madurai (- 39 per cent) and Tirupur (- 21 per cent) are already reeling under deficit rainfall for the season.
“From 60 per cent excess rainfall soon after cyclone Nilam hit Chennai, the state has now faced two weeks of dry period.
The models don’t show any immediate revival of northeast monsoon,” said Dr Y.E.A. Raj, deputy director general of meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.
Dr Raj however said the current cold wave was only a temporary phenomenon. “We will surely get a few more spell of rain before the northeast monsoon winds up in December,” he added. Astro meteorologist S. Ramachandran too said the monsoon would revive from November 21.
“While the planetary struggle was the reason for cyclone Nilam, the correction is expected to start by November 18 night and we will surely receive good rainfall thereafter. Even flooding is possible between Nellore and Point Calimere,” he added.
According to Dr Raj, the winds are currently blowing from the northern direction and so the
state is facing cool temperature.
“Compared to normal of 23 degree Celsius, we experienced 19.5 degree Celsius in Chennai on Thursday,” he added.
While Dharmapuri recorded a minimum temperature of 13 degree Celsius, which was seven degree below normal, Tirupattur registered 12 degree Celsius, which was eight degrees less than normal.
The Ennore Automatic Weather Station showed a consistent northerly wind on Thursday morning.
“When there is a dry weather condition, then wind will flow from north or north westerly direction leading to a cold wave,” said deputy director general of meteorology.
The cold wave conditions would continue in north Tamil Nadu, interior Karnataka and Rayalseema region for a few more days, Dr Raj added.
For the season starting October 1 till November 15, the state has recorded actual rainfall of 315.7 mm as against the normal of 286.1 mm.