[1]Chennai: With the trough of low pressure failing to reach Tamil Nadu as expected, it looks like the rains have moved towards Sri Lanka. However, the weathermen want to wait for a few more days before declaring the withdrawal of the northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu, as the models continue to predict a little bit of rainfall over the Thoothukudi area this week.
The officials stated that the island nation normally receives rainfall for about three weeks after the NE monsoon withdraws from India.
“The eastern part of Sri Lanka will continue to receive rainfall up to January 20, as the NE monsoon withdraws from west to east,” said Dr Y.E.A. Raj, deputy director general of meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai.
He added that hopes are receding for Tamil Nadu, as the expected rains from January 4 to 6 did not happen. “We still find a little bit of clouding over the southern region and, therefore, expect some rainfall over Thoothukudi this week,” Dr Raj added.
Moreover, the state has already begun feeling the cool weather, which normally sets in when the northeast monsoon withdraws. “The temperatures are not that cool. It was only between 30 and 22 degrees Celsius. We are feeling cold because we are not used to this kind of weather in Chennai,” Dr Raj said, adding that this time of the year is the best part of Chennai climate.
During the NE monsoon season (Oct-Dec 2012), the state received 370.5 mm rainfall, compared to a normal of 440.4 mm rainfall, registering a 16 per cent shortfall.
Links:
[1] http://103.241.136.51/monsoon0jpg-222