Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: RMD Issues Heat Wave Warning

The Regional Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave warning for parts of Tamil Nadu for the next 24 hours.

"Due to high temperatures and humid conditions, hot and discomfort weather is likely at isolated pockets over Tamilnadu during the next five days," the RMD said in its daily bulletin on Friday.

It predicted that a heat wave is likely at isolated pockets over North Interior Tamil Nadu during the next 24 hours.

In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am today, temperatures in Tamil Nadu witnessed a slight increase, with many areas in the interior plains registering temperatures above normal to appreciably above normal by 2-4°C. Coastal regions of Tamil Nadu saw temperatures ranging from normal to above normal (1-3°C), while Puducherry and Karaikal areas experienced near-normal temperatures.

The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Vellore at 41.5°C (+3.0°C), followed by Karur Paramathi at 41.0°C (+3.7°C), Tiruchi at 40.9°C (+2.9°C), Salem at 40.8°C (+3.0°C), Erode at 40.6°C (+2.8°C), Madurai city at 40.6°C (+4.1°C), Dharmapuri at 40.5°C (+3.6°C), and Tiruttani at 40.3°C (+3.0°C).

In the interior plains of Tamil Nadu, temperatures ranged from 38°C to 40°C. Coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal saw temperatures between 34°C and 38°C, while hilly areas experienced temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C, generally above normal maximum temperatures.

Chennai recorded above-normal maximum temperatures with MBK at 38.7°C (+2.7°C) and NBK at 37.3°C (+2.5°C).

The RMD has also predicted light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at one or two locations across the Western Ghats and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu.

Dry weather is very likely to prevail over rest of the state, Puducherry and Karaikal area.

The RMD forecasts partly cloudy skies for Chennai with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 38°C, while the minimum temperature is likely to range between 27-28°C.