The parched Kancheepuram was the latest district in the State to get thunderstorms on Monday.

The sudden rain came as a surprise to the residents. Officials of the Meteorological Department said that Kancheepuram received 2 cm during the day. Rain clouds formed over the region due to convective activity, which usually follows a period of intense heat. Trees were uprooted in some areas due to the showers. Tiruvallur district also received rainfall.

Dip in day temperature

Though it drizzled in some areas of Chennai, ringing in hope of rain over water-starved metropolis, the city had to be content with murky sky and a dip in day temperature. The weather stations in Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 35 degree Celsius and 36.1 degree Celsius respectively, which is considered normal for the month.

The thunderstorm activity may decrease from Tuesday and only one or two places in the State may record showers over the next three days, said Met officials.

Some interior areas continued to sizzle on Monday too. The mercury level in places such as Karur, Madurai, Vellore and Tiruchi peaked beyond 40 degree Celsius.

System off Chennai

N. Puviarasan, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Chennai, said: “Weather models indicated development of a system, 1,600 km off Chennai. We expect a low pressure area to form over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Indian Ocean around April 25. This may further intensify into a depression during the subsequent two days. However, we would have to wait and monitor its impact over Tamil Nadu. The intensity of rainfall depends on the movement of the system.”

The quicker onset of sea breeze and overcast sky brought the day temperature to 32 degree Celsius by 3 p.m.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that Chennai would have a partly cloudy sky and the maximum temperature would be around 36 degree Celsius till Wednesday.