What started with a drizzle and heavy showers in a few areas last week, has now turned into a constant downpour in all parts of the city. The forecast for the next 24 hours predicts more rains.

So far, everything is in keeping with the general weather outlook for this month. According to the weatherman's charts, the outlook in August follows this pattern: ``Generally cloudy with occasional rain. There may be one or two spells of break monsoon condition for five to eight days during which the weather will be warm and sultry.''

The break monsoon condition is what we experienced during the hot and dry spell that stretched from the middle of July till the first week of August. The break period last month was an aberration, but this month will spring no surprises.

In the last 24 hours, the Met department has recorded 56 millimeters of rain and of this, the amount of rainfall recorded till 5.30 p.m. this afternoon was 17.6 millimeter. According to the Met Department statistics, average rainfall for the entire month of August is 192 mm. Statistics also indicate that the average number of days with more than 2.5 mm of rain is nine days.

Last year, there was rain and thunderstorms around this time and it lasted till the 20th, before a brief respite for four days. The city saw 12 days of rainfall with a total of 187.9 mm of rain. In comparison, 1996 saw a wet August, with 20 rainy days totalling 328.8 mm. 1995 was even more wet with 22 days of rain over the month.

As for the temperatures, the maximum temperature between August 14 and 23 averages around 34 degree Celsius with the minimum settling down at 26. The temperatures today: Max 29 degree Celsius (five below normal), min 25.5 degree Celsius.

August facts: 1961 was the wettest August ever with 583.3 mm of rain. August 12, 1877, is the hottest day ever with the maximum temperature of 43.6 degree Celsius.