Dust storm sweeps Marina as rough sea triggers public warning

After a brief relief from the summer heat due to intermittent showers following the onset of the Agni Nakshatram period in Tamil Nadu, temperatures have risen sharply again across the State since the beginning of this week.
Several parts of Tamil Nadu continued to record temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. Erode recorded the highest temperature at 106.5 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by Vellore at 106.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Chennai too has witnessed intense heat over the past three days, with weather officials warning that some coastal districts could experience heat wave conditions.
Amid the scorching weather, strong winds swept through several parts of Chennai on Friday morning. A severe dust storm was reported at Marina Beach, causing inconvenience to morning walkers and motorists as sand-laden winds reduced visibility and created difficult conditions.
Similar gusty conditions were experienced in other parts of the city.
Authorities also issued a warning to the public after the sea turned unusually rough along the Marina coast. Announcements from the beach surveillance control room urged people to avoid entering the beach area and asked visitors to leave immediately as a precautionary measure. The city remained cloudy through the morning with no strong sunlight, and the gusty winds brought comparatively pleasant weather conditions to Chennai.