CHENNAI: The mercury climbed to record the hottest day in July in Chennai in a decade with the temperature soaring to 40.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The heat is expected to soar in the coming days, with the predicted maximum of 41 degrees Celsius.
The 40.5 degree Celsius recorded on Sunday is over five degree above normal. The previous highest temperature in July recorded since 2005 was 40.3 degrees Celsius on July 7, 2006.
Despite forecasts by the Regional Meteorological Department predicting a cooler spell only days ago, the first few days of July turned out to be rainless with temperatures hovering in the 39-40 degrees Celsius range.
“Commuting for long hours in this heat this Sunday is like punishment,” says public-transport commuter Radhika T.
In previous years the highest temperature hovered in the high 30s and crossed the 40 degrees Celsius mark only twice. The lower end of the temperatures recorded hovered around the 30 degrees Celsius range continuing well into the evening. This again is over 4 degrees above normal temperature.
Chennai may continue to experience this heat-wave for the next few days to come.