The Hindu Business Line : Kollam continues to get showers

KOLLAM district continued to hold on to the recorded highest aggregate rainfall for the two-month season ending February 29, according to the Agromet Advisory dated March 4 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

The precipitation was `deficient' in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta, while `scanty' in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Wayanad. Kannur, Kasaragod and Malappuram districts recorded no rain at all during the two-month season.

Rainfall for the week ending March 3 was `normal' in Thiruvananthapuram, `scanty' in Alappuzha and Kozhikode while no rain was reported from the rest of the districts.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 32 deg C and 37 deg C in various districts. The highest maximum temperature of 39.4 deg C was recorded at Vellanikkara (Thrissur) on March 2. The maximum temperature was 3 deg above normal in Thiruvananthapuram the same day.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 21 deg C and 26 deg C, with Punalur recording the lowest minimum of 19.2 deg C on March 3. The minimum temperature was 3 deg C below normal in Kollam district on the same day.

Mean relative humidity varied between 65 per cent and 80 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 1 okta and 5 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until March 6 spoke about mainly dry weather in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

State and stage of crops: The Puncha paddy crop has reached the seedling stages. Irrigation of crops continued wherever water is available in required quantities. Banana and seasonal vegetables are in different stages of growth. Seed nut collection from selected mother palms is progressing in coconut. Fruit trees have reached the fruit development stages. Harvesting and curing in clove and nutmeg are going on. In pepper, preparation of rooted cuttings from selected runner shoots is in progress.

Advisory for 4 days: In coconut, collection and storage of seed nuts from select mother palms can be continued. In arecanut, tree rips nuts can be selected for seed nuts.

Preparation of rooted cuttings from runner shoots of mother vines can be continued with in pepper.

In vegetables and banana, new planting, weeding, top dressing and irrigation activities can be practised. Control measures may be adopted against possible attacks on vegetable crops from leaf rollers, epilachna, beetles, aphids and mealy bug.

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