Chennai records the highest rain in January | 2020-21 NBA

The sudden downpour on Tuesday left several roads flooded in Chennai and caused large inflows of water bodies. The city reported the highest amount of rainfall on a single day in January since 1915.

Although the north-eastern monsoon lasting to January is not unprecedented in Chennai, rain's strength has struck the city and nearby districts since Monday night has come as a surprise.

Officials of the Indian Meteorological Department attributed it to the eastern trough of northern Tamil Nadu.

Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam reported 6 cm and 5 cm of rainfall for 24 hours at 8.30 a.m. It's Tuesday. However, by 6:30 p.m., the two stations had reported 8 cm and 10 cm of rain respectively. Many other sites, such as Taramani, earned 12 cm, West Tambaram 10 cm and Poonamallee 7 cm.

S. Balachandran, Deputy Director-General of Meteorology, Chennai, said that the slow-moving easterly trough, which is loaded with moisture, could cause such heavy rain in January as well.

On January 15, 1915, Chennai received 21 cm of rain.

Tuesday's rain may have exceeded those records and may have been the second-highest in the century.

However, rain over Chennai may begin to decrease from Wednesday, and moderate showers may occur in some areas. Wet weather in the state can continue until January 12.

The Meteorological Department has predicted that heavy rains may continue in one or two locations in Nilgiris, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram on Wednesday, and in parts of the southern districts on January 9.

Many inland areas are likely to have light to moderate rain on Wednesdays.

Senior meteorologist Y.E.A. Raj said good rain over Chennai in January and the spillover northeast monsoon.