The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has issued a weather alert stating that light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely in 10 districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, August 23.
In its bulletin, the RMC noted that several parts of the state have been receiving light showers over the past few days. The highest rainfall recorded on Friday was 6 cm at the VIT educational institution area in Chengalpattu district. Tindivanam in Villupuram district, Sholinganallur in Chennai, and Ranipet each recorded 3 cm.
The forecast has been linked to a weak trough in the lower atmosphere over coastal Tamil Nadu. Due to this, thunder showers are likely in the Western Ghats districts and in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi and Cuddalore on August 23.
For Sunday, August 24, the RMC said heavy rain with thunder and lightning is possible in the hilly areas of Coimbatore district and in the Nilgiris. Light rain with thunder and lightning is also likely in other Western Ghats districts and in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Mayiladuthurai, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Pudukkottai.
The bulletin also said that Tamil Nadu has received 15 cm of rainfall from June 1 to August 22 under the southwest monsoon, against the normal 18 cm—about 17% below average.
