Chennai: The city and neighbouring districts received little rain over the weekend despite forecasts of heavy showers, as the low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea moved south towards the delta region before merging with cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal. The system brought heavy rain to the delta and southern districts. Weathermen said Tamil Nadu could see a break in monsoon rainfall for at least a week, until the cyclone dissipates.The IMD has forecast light rain for Chennai and light to moderate rain over the Western Ghats and southern districts on Tuesday.A meteorologist said the low-pressure area, which was expected to move over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry towards the Bay of Bengal, instead moved south towards the delta before merging with the cyclone, leaving light to trace amounts of rain in the city. For the next two or three days, the low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining south coastal Tamil Nadu, along with an associated trough extending from the Lakshadweep area, may continue to bring some rain over the Western Ghats and south Tamil Nadu.“The moisture will be concentrated around the cyclone, and dry weather may prevail till it dissipates. Even if there is light rain in isolated places, there is a possibility that the last three days of the month could be dry across Tamil Nadu,” an IMD official said. “Daytime temperatures may rise by a degree or two, but Oct is not the season for days to become unbearably hot.”On Tuesday, Chennai and its suburbs may receive light rain, with thunderstorms and lightning in some areas. Partly cloudy skies are expected, with maximum temperatures of 32°C-33°C and minimum temperatures of 26°C-27°C.The IMD has forecast a 2°C-3°C rise in daytime temperatures at isolated places over north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from Oct 28 to 30, while temperatures are likely to remain near normal in south Tamil Nadu.Blogger Pradeep John said Tamil Nadu could receive good rainfall in Nov. The state has received 215mm against the northeast monsoon’s seasonal normal of 440mm, he said. “With a good Nov expected, Tamil Nadu is well placed to cross the seasonal normal,” he said.
