Chennai rains: Flight operations affected after heavy showers lashed several parts of the city

Chennai grapples with heavy rainfall on Saturday, July 6, as showers overnight in several parts of the city has taken a toll on flight services.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast for Saturday, July 6, states, “Rain or thundershowers would occur towards evening or night” in Chennai. The maximum and minimum temperatures during the day are predicted to be 37 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The prediction for the next two days notes partly cloudy sky with possibility of moderate rain or thunderstorm, as per the extended range forecast. The region may witness light rain and thunderstorm activity from July 9 to July 11. Over the next five days, the temperature is suggested to settle in the range of 38 to 27 degrees Celsius.

The weather bulletin dated July 6 notes that wet spell is likely in “Isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Theni districts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry.” The Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for heavy showers today.

According to the weather report, residents have been advised to stay vigilant amid such weather conditions as these showers could lead to “water logging in some areas.” Wet spell may further lead to slippery roads in some areas, may cause traffic disruptions and minor damage due to loose or unsecured structures, IMD said.

The weather agency predicted "fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning" in Kerala, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat until July 10. In Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, IMD predicted “scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall” over the same period.

The weather department notes possibility of isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Telangana till July 10.

Meanwhile, IMD issued a red alert warning for heavy showers in Karnataka on July 6 following which the state authorities have shut down Anganwadis, schools and pre-university colleges in Dakshina Kannada.