Chennai’s scorching summers get hotter

Though on an upward trend, meteorologists and experts note that it is not at an alarming level. When coronavirus infections are spreading rapidly, the rising temperature and its health impact should not be forgotten, say doctors

One of the clichéd references to Chennai’s seasons — hot, hotter and hottest — was never a joke, and less so these days. Harsh summer days started earlier this year as the mercury crept up steadily, several notches above the average daily temperature for the season by late March. Just two days into April, Chennai experienced its first hottest day of the year as the maximum temperature peaked to 41.2 degrees Celsius, nearly 7.4 degrees Celsius above average. This is rather unusual. In recent decades, summers in Chennai are becoming hotter. Though not alarming, meteorologists and experts note that there is, indeed, an increasing trend in the rising mercury level. Record-breaking temperatures and blistering heat became a common thread across many parts of Tamil Nadu and the coastal city this year as an intense heat wave tightened its grip on at least 20 districts for nearly five days till April 4. The sun was brutal in interior districts that sizzled till April 7. Heat wave, a period of excessive hot weather with the day temperature crossing 4.5 degrees Celsius above normal, is usually associated with peak summer days after mid-April. But this year, the heat wave spell set in a bit early, prolonged for more than five days and the temperatures soared seven degrees Celsius above normal in some places, especially in Chennai.