Sudden heavy rain lashed several parts of Chennai on Friday night, disrupting routine life in many neighbourhoods. Areas including Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Taramani, Thoraipakkam, Perungudi and parts of North Chennai reported intense spells.
According to the report, the highest rainfall was recorded at Parrys Corner, where 361 mm was measured. The unexpected intensity led to widespread speculation that the city had experienced a cloudburst.
However, the weather office clarified that the event did not qualify as a cloudburst. It said an upper-air cyclonic circulation prevailed over North Tamil Nadu and adjoining south coastal Andhra Pradesh, and that convective clouds intensified under favourable atmospheric conditions, resulting in the heavy rain over Chennai and its suburbs.
The department explained that a cloudburst is defined as rainfall of 100 mm or more within one hour over an area of 20 to 30 square kilometres. Based on the prevailing weather setup and the nature of the rainfall, it concluded that a cloudburst had not occurred.
