Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Chennai experienced a sudden and welcome spell of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, offering significant respite to residents who had been reeling under intense summer heat for several weeks. The downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, drenched various parts of the city including T Nagar, Anna Nagar, Mylapore, and Velachery, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures and bringing smiles to the faces of weary citizens.

The showers began in the late afternoon and continued for over an hour, with the Regional Meteorological Centre confirming that the rain was caused by convective activity due to excessive surface heating and moisture in the atmosphere. The maximum temperature, which had been hovering above 40 degrees Celsius for the past few days, dropped by several degrees, providing a much-needed break from the oppressive heatwave conditions.

Many residents took to social media to express their joy and relief, sharing videos and pictures of the rainfall after days of sweltering conditions. While the rain provided a cool breeze and refreshed the environment, minor waterlogging was reported in a few low-lying areas, causing temporary traffic disruptions during peak evening hours. However, city officials were quick to respond, deploying teams to clear drains and prevent any major flooding.

The Tamil Nadu weather department has predicted that similar spells of rainfall are likely to continue over the next couple of days, especially in coastal regions. This unexpected change in weather has also improved air quality levels across the city, offering added health benefits to residents.

As Chennai recovers from a particularly harsh summer spell, the sudden rainfall has not only cooled the temperature but also lifted the spirits of its people.