This story is from November 17, 2018

Chennai may have to wait for another week for rain

After Cyclone Gaja skipped Chennai, weathermen now predict that the city may have to wait another week for a good spell of rain.
Chennai may have to wait for another week for rain
Monsoon rains in Chennai (File photo)
CHENNAI: After Cyclone Gaja skipped Chennai, weathermen now predict that the city may have to wait another week for a good spell of rain.
"A low pressure is likely to form over central parts of south Bay of Bengal by November 17 or 18 and we have to wait see how it evolves," said S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department deputy director general.
Independent weather experts said if a favourable weather system formed and moved in the right direction, it might bring rain to Chennai next week.
"It may not be a cyclone. But Chennai may get rain around November 21 to 23. Even if it is a deep depression, it may still bring a moderate spell," said Mahesh Palawat, chief meteorologist, Skymet.
Cyclone Gaja, which was initially expected to bring moderate rain to Chennai, shifted course and moved further south. The Nungambakkam weather station recorded a mere 5.6 mm of rain. "Initially, signs were favourable and we predicted rain in Chennai. But it was only a short spell because the strong winds moved the system further south and there was not enough stream for the system to bring rain to the city," Balachandran said.
The IMD official said that while Tamil Nadu still faces a rainfall deficit of 23% down from 29% after recording heavy rain in seven districts due to Gaja, Chennai so far has had a 59% shortfall. "It's mid-November. We have time till December to receive monsoon rain," he said.
For the next 48 hours, IMD predicts generally cloudy skies with rain or thundershower likely in the city. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 32 and 24 deg Celsius, respectively.
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