The Hindu Business Line : Summer rain evenly spread in Kerala

FOR the first time since the start of the summer season, all four days reviewed at a stretch by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, for Agromet advisory statistics yielded reports of summer rain spells of fairly even spread, including from the "desolate" north.

The Agromet Advisory dated March 29 said rain or thundershowers occurred at a few places in Kerala on March 25 and at isolated places on March 26, 27 and 28.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are:

March 25: Thodupuzha - 8, Kannur - 7, Punalur - 5, Alappuzha, Mancompu and Varkala - 4 each, Kottayam, Kollam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur - 3 each, Haripad, Konni, Cherthala and Thiruvalla - 2 each, Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Nedumangad and Cochin International Airport - 1 each.

March 27: Kanjirappally - 1

March 28: Ottapalam - 4, Thiruvananthapuram City - 3, Varkala and Thrissur- 2 each.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33 deg C and 35 deg C in various districts.

The highest maximum of 35.6 deg C was recorded at Cochin International Airport on March 27. The maximum temperature was 3 deg C above normal in Ernakulam on March 27 and 3 deg C below normal in Thiruvananthapuram on March 28.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22 deg C and 27 deg C, with the lowest minimum of 18.8 deg C being recorded at Alappuzha on March 25. The minimum was 6 deg C below normal in Alappuzha the same day and 3 deg C above normal in Kozhikode on March 25 and 27.

Mean relative humidity varied between 66 per cent and 80 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between 4 okta and 7 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until March 31 spoke about rain or thundershowers at isolated places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

State and stage of crops: The paddy crop is nearing the stage of panicle initiation and weeding and top dressing operations are approaching completion. Pulses and vegetables in rice fallows also are nearing the flowering stage.

New planting is in progress in banana, tapioca and tubers. Irrigation of crops is apace wherever facilities are available. Preparation of land for new planting of ginger and turmeric has commenced.

Advisory for 3 days: New planting can be continued with in banana, tapioca, tubers, ginger and turmeric. Harvesting operations can be persisted with in cashew, clove and nutmeg.

Irrigation of coconut, once started with, should be continued if only to avoid yield decline.

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