At 44.3°C, Karur is the hottest place in TN on Thursday; weekend rest unlikely

TYRUCHIA: Karur Paramathi recorded the maximum temperature in the state at 44.3°C with a record rise of 7.5°C to the usual temperature of 36.8°C. Erode recorded 44°C and Tiruchy 42.7°C. The situation is expected to continue until the weekend. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave orange alert for Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi, Perambalur, Karur, Erode and Namakkal, while a yellow alert has been issued for Ranipet, Vellore, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Tiruchy, Tirupur and Coimbatore. Vellore recorded 43.6°C, Tiruchy 42.7°C and Tiruthani 42.3°C, while Madurai, Tirunelveli, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Salem, Thanjavur and Tirupattur recorded between 40 and 42°C. People have been told to be alert and stay indoors. It is said that the agni natchathiram begins from May 4 to 28, which would witness the rising temperature across the state, but this time the temperature had already reached 44°C even before the onset of agni natchathiram.