'Agni Natchatram' @ Chennai

The City is likely to remain in the grip of the heat wave conditions for a few more days, with temperatures crossing the 40 degree C mark for about a week now. The mercury touched the highest mark of 43 degree C (109.4 F) at Meenambakkam while at Nungambakkam, it was 42.6 degree C (108.68F).Metereological Department officials today said absence of sea breeze in the forenoon was making the day hotter. Apart from this, short wind flowing from North West direction would also make the region hot, they added.

Humidity levels were comparatively low at 56 per cent at Nungambakkam and 53 per cent at Meenambakkam yesterday. They dropped due to decrease in water vapour content in the air, the officials said.The rise in temperature was attributed to the period of 'Agni Natchatram' as per the Hindu almanac, which started early in the month of May and would last till the end of this month.According to the metereological department, there would be no respite from the heat wave conditions for the next two days.