Weather Update: Tamil Nadu Braces For Heatwave Amid Rains, Temperatures To Reach 40°C In Chennai

Voters in Tamil Nadu may face challenges as a heat wave is forecasted to hit the state starting Thursday. The polling for 39 Lok Sabha seats across the state is scheduled for April 19.

Despite the impending heat wave, areas including Thoothukudi, Nellai, Thenkasi, Virudhunagar, and portions of Kanyakumari and Ramanathapuram are expected to experience significant rainfall on Monday, according to R Pradeep John, a weather blogger known as Tamil Nadu Weatherman.

"Heat Wave to hit Tamil Nadu from Thursday. Chennai (Meena) may experience temperatures reaching 40°C later this week. The Delta region and entire North TN will likely sizzle, with some interior areas possibly exceeding 42°C," he mentioned.

John also noted that temperatures would rise again in the Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Karur belt, potentially touching 40°C. Around the time of the elections, the state capital Chennai could witness its first 40-degree Celsius day.

"Interior parts of Chennai may hover around 36°C, while coastal areas may experience around 35°C today, but temperatures are expected to rise in North TN this week, affecting Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Delta, Cuddalore, Pondy, and Kallakuruchi," he added.

"This week, around the time of the elections, we may witness Chennai experiencing its first 40°C day," he concluded.

What Is the RMD?

The Regional Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rains in a few places on April 15. A statement from the agency said: Light to Moderate rain with thunderstorm and lighting is likely to occur at one or two places over South Tamilnadu, Delta districts and Western ghats
districts of North Tamilnadu and Karaikal area. Dry weather is very likely to prevail over rest Tamilnadu and Puducherry area.

During the 24-hour period ending at 08:30 am today, maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal remained generally close to normal.

Temperatures ranged from 37°C to 39°C over the plains of north interior Tamil Nadu, while the north coastal areas and plains of south Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal experienced temperatures between 33°C and 37°C. In the hilly areas, temperatures ranged from 19°C to 29°C.

The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Erode at 39.4°C, marking an increase of 1.8°C, followed by Salem at 38.6°C, with a rise of 0.8°C.

Chennai recorded normal maximum temperatures, with MBK at 35.4°C and NBK at 34.8°C.