Tamil Nadu, lying on the rain shadow area, generally receives less rain by Southwest Monsoon but somehow it received good showers since the beginning of the Monsoon season. In spite of rain deficit in most parts of the country, the state has received normal rainfall so far.
Neighbouring areas like Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka and Kerala receive good showers during Monsoon in India but Tamil Nadu hardly receives any rain when compared to these adjoining areas.
The state received surplus rain of about 14% till last week but now the state is warming in absence of any rain since a week now. The cumulative rain percentage has reduced but is still surplus by 9% as the state as a whole has surpassed the normal average rainfall of 77.8 mm. From 1st June to 16th July, Tamil Nadu has received 85 mm of rain.
Temperatures across the state are now rising above the normal average of 35⁰C. On Wednesday, Chennai recorded maximum of 37⁰C, Nellore 38.4⁰C and Madurai 39⁰C.
The capital city Chennai and other major cities mentioned above have been experiencing a dry spell in the last 5 days and no weather activity is likely in the offing, according to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India.
