The summer sun in Coimbatore is creating new records with each passing day, as the mercury levels touched 38.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, the highest level recorded in Coimbatore in over 25 years.

The Agro Climate Research Centre at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has only grim news. According to them, the sun will continue with its no-mercy mood, with the temperatures likely to touch 39.5 degrees Celsius in the coming days.

However, Coimbatoreans can breathe a sigh of relief as the meteorological department has also predicted that the city will also be receiving moderate showers, which will bring the heat down and add moisture in the air.

Coimbatoreans have been suffering the wrath of the sun for the past two weeks, with the mercury levels oscillating between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees. Even as the city received moderate showers on Friday (April 8, 2016), there was no backing down from the sun as even the night temperatures increasing from the average 22-23 degrees to 24.5-25 degrees.

According to S. Pannerselvam, Head and Professor at the Agro Climate Research Centre in TNAU, Coimbatore can expect moderate showers in the next five days and additional rainfall amounting to 130 mm after the third week of May.

He further added that the city will not touch 40 degrees Celsius even during Agni Nakshatram, as temperatures are expected to reduce post mid-May.

Blaming low rainfall during the monsoon seasons which has resulted in high temperatures, Panneerselvam also said that the increase in solar radiation, terrestrial radiation, and pollution from vehicle, industries, and from the increased usage of air conditioner and refrigerators has caused the increase in the temperatures.

“People should drink more water during the day time and always use an umbrella to avoid heat strokes,” he said.

The worst part of the heat wave is being experienced by districts including Kancheepuram and Chennai, with the mercury crossing 40 degrees in the northern districts.