Kathiri Veyil, considered the peak phase of summer, begins in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, said heat intensity during this period could be higher than usual, with maximum temperatures likely to rise by more than 3°C.
The 24-day spell from May 4 to May 28 is traditionally identified as Kathiri Veyil. Officials noted that this window often records the season’s highest daytime temperatures across the state.
Even as heat builds, rainfall was reported in a few places over the last 24 hours. The highest was 10 cm at Vadipatti in Madurai district, followed by 8 cm at Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga district. Cholavandan and Sathiyar in Madurai district recorded 7 cm each, while Andipatti and Thaniyamangalam saw 6 cm each.
The weather department said a trough at about 1.5 km above sea level extends from south Chhattisgarh through Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to the Kumari Sea. Due to this, isolated places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may receive moderate rain with thunder and lightning today and tomorrow.
Heavy rain with strong winds is likely today in Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Theni, Dindigul, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, Karur and Kallakurichi districts. Meanwhile, maximum temperatures may remain up to 3°C above normal in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from today till May 7, causing discomfort in some coastal areas and Puducherry.
