The first scattered heavy rains have finally fallen on many townships in the scorching Yangon region yesterday. Although only a few townships had received rain in the past few days, the downpour on 11 May was heavier and carried more water.
“There is no strange reason for the rain. It rains after cumulonimbus clouds move upwards. These clouds seemed to be moving from the east,” said U Hla Tun, spokesperson for the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
The heavy rains resembled a very wet day in the rainy season, and the areas where the first cold showers hit included townships such as Insein and Bahan, as well as those in the Yangon Metro. “It gets cool after the rain. The heat stress has abated. Thunder rolled, and lightning flashed. The heavy rain lasted for at least more than an hour. There has been no such rain for a long time. People in Yangon have been expecting rain,” said Ko Pyae Sone from Pazundaung township.
Rain is also forecast for 12 May, and as the monsoon hasn’t arrived yet, the rain pattern wasn’t regular and could be described as scattered heavy rain, said meteorologist U Win Naing. According to the DMH’s weather forecast statement for 11 to 21 May, a low-pressure area may form over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea, and it may intensify into a depression. — Thit Taw/ZN
