Heatwave grips Chennai with record-breaking temperature

Climate researchers say the episode may reflect a broader trend of increasing temperature anomalies in the region

- HD Bureau

Chennai recorded a maximum temperature of 35.5 °C at the Nungambakkam observatory between 8.30 a. m. on October 31 and 8.30 a. m. on November 1, surpassing the previous high of 35.4 °C recorded on November 2, 1999. Meteorologists and weather analysts say the spike stems from dry westerly and northwesterly winds drawing inland heat toward the coast and a marked absence of moist easterlies from the Bay of Bengal.

An official from the regional meteorological centre noted that typically moisture-laden easterly flows cool the region in November, but the current wind pattern suppresses that effect, leaving urban heat levels significantly elevated.