Tamil Nadu State gears up to face summer blast

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The growing urban heat compounded with global climatic change and intra-annual variation may lead to a harsh summer this year.

The state has already seen interior districts crossing 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius) and those districts nearer to sea touching 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).

“Days when temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius and above are considered hot days. We have already seen such hot days in districts like Vellore, Tiruchy and Madurai,” said Dr Y.E.A. Raj, deputy director general of Meteorology, Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

He said Chennai city has been warmer by more than two degrees for the last few days and with each passing day the radiation from the sun would increase. The phenomenon is expected to augment in April and reach the peak temperature in May, he added.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Chennai airport office director in-charge R. Suresh noted that the equinox occurs either on March 22 or 23, which means the closeness to equator will lead to radiation of the sun falling directly on the earth.

However, Mr Raj noted that sea breeze would help moderate the heat in the cities like Chennai and Cuddalore that are closer to the sea. “Cities like Coimbatore and Tiruchy will experience early summers, while Chennai will feel the heat wave only in May,” he added.

While westerly winds are expected to increase the heat, the temperature has been on the warmer side in recent years mainly due to the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. “Global warming is a small component and it cannot lead to four degrees variation in climate.

The warm days are due to generation of urban heat like automobile pollution and use of air conditioning,” Mr Raj noted.

In a 24-hours period ending 8.30 am on Friday, the Madurai airport and Tiruttani registered a maximum of 39 degrees, while Tiruchy airport, Tirupattur and Vellore recorded 38 degrees.