“Large Excess” that is the description given by the Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai for the rain during the ongoing North-East monsoon.
The North-East monsoon, which is when the water table and reservoirs of the parched city get replenished, formally set in on October 27 in Tamil Nadu, according to the Met Department.
Above-normal rainfallIn the last week of October, Chennai received 208 mm rain against the normal of 81 mm. Anything more than 60 per cent, the Department describes as “Large Excess.” During the last three days, the city received 554 mm rain against the normal 83 mm.
On Thursday evening, when the skies opened up and brought Chennai to a halt. Roads were flooded, traffic was gridlocked and commuters were stranded on the road for hours.
The Tamil Nadu government had earlier declared a holiday for schools. On Friday schools, colleges and public offices remained closed.
Jet Airways waived penalty for date/flight change, refund, no-show and fare difference for travellers with confirmed tickets from-to Chennai on Friday.
The city woke up to a mostly sunny Friday . Traffic was sparse on the roads and many shops in central business districts were closed. But by afternoon rain clouds started gathering and rain started as the evening progressed.