Trichy nets highest May rainfall in 5 years

TRICHY: Trichy recorded the highest May rainfall in the last five years this time, with a total of 111 mm. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, this is about 70% more than the month’s normal rainfall of 65.2 mm. This is the fifth time since 2013 that the district has recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall in May, considered the hottest month.
In May 2018, Trichy received an impressive 140.5 mm rainfall, but from 2019 to 2022, only 38 mm to 86 mm was recorded with May 2020 recording just 11.4 mm rainfall, the lowest in 10 years. The IMD report says Trichy received a large part of the surplus rainfall within the first two weeks of May. At least 10 days in the first two weeks saw the district receiving substantial rain. On May 2, an average rainfall of 27 mm lashed the district, the highest of the month.
“Thunderstorm activity was the reason for the excess rainfall, there was no cyclone in the period. Although Tamil Nadu as a whole received 62% higher rainfall than the normal rainfall for the season between March and May 2023, some districts did not get much rain,” S Balachandran, deputy director general of meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, told TOI.
Good rain in the first couple of weeks last month gave residents the much-needed respite from the sultry weather. However, with the rains lashing Trichy mostly in the evening and night, the days remained hot. Maximum temperature hovered around 36-38 degrees Celsius in the first half of May and 39-40 degree Celsius in the second half. According to IMD’s seasonal rainfall report for March, April and May, all districts in the central region except Mayiladuthurai have recorded excess rainfall this year. While 85.9 mm of rainfall is the normal for Mayiladuthurai district in the season, the coastal district received 70.6 mm, about 18% deficient.