Chennai: Sharp, intermittent spells of rain accompanied by gusty winds cooled the city and suburbs on Thursday evening after a hot day that saw temperatures touch 38.3°C in Nungambakkam and 38.5°C in Meenambakkam, a degree above normal.The showers were unevenly distributed. While Nungambakkam recorded just 0.8mm of rainfall, Meenambakkam received 17.2mm. Rain gauges at Chembarambakkam logged 26.5mm, Sathyabama University 24mm, and Poonamallee 9.5mm. Gusts reached 60kmph at Meenambakkam.The IMD forecast more light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Friday. Daytime temperatures are likely to drop further to 36°C-37°C, while minimum temperatures may hover around 28°C-29°C.V R Durai, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said the rainfall on Thursday was triggered by a north-south trough extending from the Vidarbha region to central Tamil Nadu across Andhra Pradesh at 0.9km above mean sea level.“There is a possibility of rainfall on Friday, but it depends on the movement of the trough and how well it sustains. Daytime temperatures may remain around 38°C across much of the state over the next five days,” he said.
