Chennai: The city and its three neighbouring districts continue to face rainfall deficit. But weathermen said there is a chance of some recovery, as a weather system over north India could create favourable conditions for rain over Chennai and north coastal Tamil Nadu for the next few days. On Sunday, the city and suburbs may receive light to moderate rain.V R Durai, director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, IMD, said a low-pressure area over Jharkhand may move towards north Odisha on Sunday, creating favourable conditions for wind convergence leading to convective rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu. It may also strengthen a feeble trough along and off the Tamil Nadu coast, enhancing convective rainfall.“We expected this condition last week, but the system moved in the northwest direction. On Sunday, it might move eastwards. Historically, we have seen rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu when there is a system over Jharkhand and Odisha. We can expect rainfall till Tuesday,” he said.After Tuesday, the system is likely to merge with the monsoon trough extending from Gangetic West Bengal to Pakistan, Durai said. This could revive monsoon rainfall over central India and reduce rain activity over north Tamil Nadu, though some light spells may continue over Chennai.“On Sunday, the city and suburbs may receive light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning during the evening/night hours. Temperatures may touch 36°C-37°C during the day and drop to 26°C-27°C at night,” an IMD bulletin said.Till Aug 25, moderate rain is possible at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengelpet, along with other northern, coastal and central districts. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty wind of 40-50kmph are also possible at one or two places.Since June 1, Chennai has received 244.9mm, 8% below normal; Tiruvallur 195.6mm (28% below normal); Kancheepuram 172mm (37% below normal); and Chengelpet 76mm (68% below normal).On Saturday evening, there were light rain spells over some parts of the city. Till 7.30pm, rain gauges in NIOT Pallikaranai logged 7.9mm, West Tambaram 7mm, and an automatic weather station in Meenambakkam recorded 4.5mm.“There is a good possibility for rainfall till Wednesday,” said blogger Pradeep John.
