Light rain forecast, but Chennai gets no respite from rising heat

Chennai: The intensifying weather system over the Bay may have residents reaching for umbrellas — both for unexpected showers and rising heat — as it moves northward, turning up the heat in the city and suburbs. The IMD has forecast light rain in a few places in the city, with the day temperature touching 36°C on Wednesday.
In the rest of the state, maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2°C-3°C until April 10, with the possibility of light to moderate rainfall in isolated pockets until April 14. Private forecasters said southeasterly winds may keep the temperatures in control but may cause high humidity.
"On April 9, the city and suburbs may receive light rain in a few places. The maximum temperature may be around 36°C, and the minimum temperature is likely to be around 28°C. The sky may be partly cloudy," said B Amudha, deputy director general (addl charge), regional meteorological centre, IMD.
As day temperatures may rise by 2°C-3°C in isolated pockets of the state on April 9, the IMD has warned of discomfort due to hot and humid weather. The agency has also forecast light to moderate intensity rainfall at isolated places, with thunderstorms and lightning at one or two places over Tamil Nadu until April 14.
The IMD has said that the low-pressure area has intensified into a well-marked low pressure but may eventually weaken gradually over the central Bay of Bengal in 48 hours.
"There won't be any rain activity in Tamil Nadu as the system will dissipate over the Bay of Bengal. It may, however, raise temperatures. There may also be southeasterly winds over the state, which may raise humidity and cause dry weather," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet Weather.
On Tuesday, the city's Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded near-normal temperatures of 34.5°C and 35.3°C. The humidity was around 70% during the day and later dropped to around 60% in the evening.