According to the Director of the Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre, S Balachandran, more than ten areas in North interior Tamil Nadu registered temperatures over 42 degrees Celsius, with Karur reporting a high of 44.3 degrees, significantly above the usual range. The forecast predicts a continuation of heatwave conditions in North interior districts until the 6th of May, along with the likelihood of pre-monsoon showers in interior regions and the Western Ghats area.
Districts such as Cuddalore, Madurai, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, and Vellore in Tamil Nadu have also seen temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, indicating a widespread trend of above-normal temperatures across the state. The situation has prompted the Chennai Corporation to issue guidelines advising the public to remain indoors during the hottest part of the day and take measures like covering their heads to shield themselves from the scorching weather.
IMD scientist Naresh Kumar emphasized that the eastern region of India will experience heatwave conditions over the next three days, particularly affecting states like Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar, which will later be alleviated by thunderstorms. Additionally, southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, are expected to continue facing heatwave conditions for the next four days. Following this period, heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram, providing potential relief from the intense heatwave across the region.