During the southwest monsoon, Chennai recorded 429.3 mm of rainfall, as against the normal of 363.9 mm between June 1 and September 15. In the same period, Tamil Nadu witnessed 256.9 mm of rainfall, as against the normal of 264.3 mm, with a deficit of 3% considered normal in weather parlance, said experts at the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai.
The slight increase in the city’s rainfall is considered normal, said the experts. In weather parlance, rainfall between +19% and -19% is considered normal during a season. The neighbouring district of Chengalpattu recorded 278.3 mm, which is 16% below the normal of 333.2 mm. Kancheepuram recorded 324.8 mm, which is 17% below normal, and Tiruvallur 491.5 mm, which is 27% more than the normal of 385.8 mm.
Tenkasi recorded 237.7 mm against the normal of 141.1 mm, which is an increase of 68% and is considered large-excess, a designation for a positive departure of 60% and above. While the Nilgiris registered 876.6 mm against the normal of 754.5mm, which is an increase of 16%, Coimbatore recorded 886 mm, which is 42% more than the normal of 622.7 mm.
However, these numbers are not final and are bound to change since the end of the season is September 30. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon began its withdrawal from Rajasthan on Sunday.