The Hindu Business Line : Showers stick to pattern in Kerala

SUMMER showers stuck stubbornly to the pattern emerging at the beginning of the season with the central and southern parts of the State continuing to report episodes of varied intensity to the total exclusion thus far of the parched north, according to the Agromet Advisory Bulletin dated March 22, issued by the MetOffice, Thiruvananthapuram.

The summary of weather condition for the four days ended March 21 said there were rain or thundershowers at isolated places in the State on March 21 while mainly dry weather prevailed on three days from March 18.

Chief amounts of rainfall during the four-day period are (in mm):

March 18: Nedumanagad (Thiruvananthapuram) - 1

March 21: Kanjirappally - 21.6, Punalur - 4

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33 deg C and 37 deg C in various districts. The highest maximum of 38.7 deg C was recorded at Vellanikkara (Thrissur) on March 18. The maximum temperature was 3 deg C above the normal in Ernakulam district on March 18 and 19.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 23 deg C and 27 deg C, with the lowest minimum of 22.6 deg C being recorded at Punalur on March 18 and 19. Mean relative humidity varied between 63 per cent and 78 per cent, mean cloud coverage between one okta and five okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until March 24 spoke mainly about dry weather in all districts. The outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

State and stage of crops: The `Puncha' crop has reached the early tillering stages. Weeding and top dressing are progressing in certain areas where the crop is in the maximum tillering stages.

Pulses and vegetables raised in rice fallows are in the vegetative state and intercultural weeding and top dressing operations continue.

Advisory for three days: Irrigation of crops should be persisted with, wherever possible, to make them stand up to the unprecedented hot conditions prevailing in most parts of the State.

In coconut gardens, special care should be taken to ensure that irrigation, once started with, holds on uninterrupted if only to prevent yield decline.

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