In the week ending December 17, the northeast monsoon finally gave some good rain to the southern peninsula, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Rain in Tamil Nadu has been 82% excess this week, with 33.8 mm of rain being recorded against the weekly average of 18.5 mm.
The figures are in steep contrast to that recorded a week earlier. The week ending December 10 had witnessed only 3.4 mm of rain against the average of 32.2 mm, which is 90% deficit. So, the rains in Tamil Nadu this week have come as a huge relief to the people of the region.
Krishnagiri observed 32.9 mm of rain against the weekly average of 6.9 mm, which is 399% excess. Similarly Tirunelveli recorded 99.7 mm of rain against 24.3 mm, which is 310% excess. Nilgiris was excess by 208% thereby receiving 58.3 mm of rain against 18.9 mm. With 16.1 mm of rain against 8.1 mm Erode was excess by 100%. Cuddalore observed 74.1 mm against 36.9 mm, which is 101% excess.
The rainfall this time was a little widespread with some interior parts also receiving rain. However it was largely confined to the coastal areas.
Meanwhile, the seasonal deficit of northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu is only 3%. From October 1 till December 17 the state has received 404.2 mm of rain against the average of 415.7 mm. And with only a week left for the northeast monsoon to come to an end, the season is expected to record close to normal rain.
The onset of northeast monsoon was late – by October 20 - however, good rain was observed during the month. But in November the performance of northeast monsoon dipped with December treading the same path. But some good showers last week has pulled down the deficit in the state.
