South enjoys showers due to early monsoon

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) Most southern states received showers today following the early onset of the monsoon.

In Tamil Nadu, sudden showers brought respite to the residents of Chennai, who had been reeling under sweltering heat for over a month.

Met office here said the rain was largely due to the influence of a trough on sea-level chart, running from south Orissa to the extreme southern peninsula across coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Tamil Nadu.

Isolated rain or thundershower will occur over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in the next two days, it added.

In Kerala, rain occurred at many places in Kerala as well as Lakshwadeep. The south-west monsoon is likely to hit the Kerala coast in a couple of days with all conditions in favour for its onset.

The normal onset of monsoon in Kerala is June one while this year it has been predicted on May 30, two days in advance.

In Madhya Pradesh, monsoon-like showers in the state capital rendered ineffective the 'Nautapa' -- a period of supposedly extreme summer heat. Day temperature ranged between 32-38 C in other stations of the state.

Day temperature dipped in other stations as well. A Met department official said squalls along with rains would continue for two-three days.

The city recorded a high of 34.9 degrees C, four notches below normal, while overnight precipitation was 3 cm.

Pondicherry and its suburbs received good showers accompanied by strong winds this evening. The sudden downpour provided relief to the residents from the scorching heat.

The Met department said Irikkur, Thodupzha and Varkala recorded three cm of rainfall. Alappuzha, Kochi, Alwaye, Kottayam and Kunnamkulam received two cm rainfall, they added.

As per reports from Pune, the monsoon has further advanced into some parts of South Arabian sea, Maldives, Commorin areas, parts of South West Bay, entire South East Bay, some parts of West Central Bay, East Central Bay and North East Bay.

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