CHENNAI: The meteorological department on Thursday established the northeast monsoon circulation pattern over the South Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka. The pattern is likely to strengthen leading to the commencement of northeast monsoon rainfall over Tamil Nadu in five days.
There has been a lot of dilly-dallying over the onset of monsoon this year. The met department has initially predicted that the onset will take place on October 8 and later, around October 26, but again it got delayed due to unfavourable weather conditions.
However, S Balachandran, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre, said the monsoon showers would commence on October 31 or November 1. “Easterlies are likely to strengthen in a couple of days,” he said.
Chennai is reeling under 41 per cent deficit rainfall for October. The city has received 117.8 mm of rainfall as against the normal 198 mm. Overall, Tamil Nadu has received 6 per cent excess rainfall. In the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Thursday, Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi received the highest rainfall of 80 mm.
Weather blogger Pradeep John said things were looking bright in the first three days of November.