Chennai: Chennai received mild rain in various parts helping bring down temperature on Tuesday evening.
The Regional Meteorological Centre has further forecast heavy rain in Southern parts of state, while Chennai and suburbs will record light rain during evening for two more days.
According to weathermen, even as Nungambakkam and Airport recorded 37.2 and 39.5 degree Celsius during afternoon, there were rain-bearing clouds during evening, indicating possibility for rain, which started at 4. Areas like Koyambedu, Vadapalani, Guindy and other parts received shower, while suburbs like Avadi, Tambaram and Pallavaram received rain accompanied by strong wind. The thunderstorm intensified closer to coast given sudden burst of heavy shower which lasted only for a few minutes in some places.
Meanwhile, RMC warned that heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over ghat areas of Theni, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu.
"For Chennai, the sky condition is likely to be generally cloudy and there is possibility of development of thunder clouds towards evening or night. Light rain is likely to occur in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 37 and 28 degree Celsius respectively," said a weatherman at RMC. The weathermen also warned that since south coastal districts will experience heavy rain, fishermen are advised to be careful while venturing into the sea.
The short spell of sharp showers from thunderstorms was triggered by the sea breeze front interacting with upper level westerlies, said a weather blogger.
There is a high possibility that southern districts like Western and Southern region will receive potential rain for two more days.
PWD yet to start Pre-Monsoon Work
With only two and half months left for the onset of northeast monsoon, PWD officials do not seem to have begun desilting works in Chennai region.
However, officials maintain that they have gradually been taking up pre-monsoon works. Activists urged the government to start preliminary work.
Sources said it has become routine for PWD to take up such works whenever northeast monsoon is round the corner.
Last year, PWD allotted funds to take up pre-monsoon works after northeast monsoon ended and the department invited sharp crticism from various quarters.
This year too, officials have not taken up lake improvement works like strengthening bunds and deepening lake.
A.Veerappan, former special chief engineer, Chennai region, pointed out that the government should allot funds to PWD department.
"PWD (WRD) is always facing fund crunch. The top brass should know that no works can be done without allotting funds," he noted.
When contacted by DC, M. Mani, superintending engineer, Palar Basin Circle, PWD, Chennai, region, said, "unlike last year, we will take monsoon preparatory works in September and we have started inspecting lakes located in and around Chennai. As far as funds are concerned, we have been ensured that funds will be allotted at right time."
Asked about what kind of works will be undertaken, the SE replied "we are preparing blueprints and our aim is to ensure that there should be no breaches from any lake, even if there is any downpour in and around Chennai." During northeast monsoon in 2015, Chennai received torrential rain resulting in floods across the city.
