The Hindu Business Line : A boon for standing crops — Experts allay fears over cloudburst

THE ongoing spell of rain triggered by the low pressure area that has been active in the southern peninsular region is largely expected to be beneficial for standing crops in Kerala.

Allaying fears over rains falling in their torrents at times in the State, sources in the Farm Information Bureau (FIB) told Business Line that the `Virippu' paddy crop stood to benefit the most provided the fields have drains built into them to drain out flood water. Any flooding of the fields from storm water would, however, harm the prospects.

As per the Agromet Advisory issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, land preparation for the `Virippu' crop was currently on in the State. Sowing in nurseries for the crop also was in progress. Ploughing operations also would be easier. New plantings in all crops can be taken up as also sowing of green manure crops in coconut gardens.

Tapping in rubber plantations is one agricultural activity the rains have threatened to disrupt. Almost all rubber-growing areas have been receiving good rainfall.

In case of spice crops, harvesting in respect of which has been completed are not threatened by the rains, but those in the midst of harvesting are expected to be affected.

Harvesting and processing in clove, nutmeg, cocoa, cashew, along with fruit crops, had commenced from last week. These could now run into problems with rains expected to hold for another day or two. Trees in the fruit-setting stage would also be affected, especially mango plantations in the Palakkad area.

Low pressure shifts base: Meanwhile, according to weather update from the India Meteorological Department, the well-marked low pressure over southwest Bay of Bengal had moved further west and lay over southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining North Kerala-South Coastal Karnataka on Tuesday afternoon.

The system was expected to move further west and settle over the southeast Arabian Sea by the evening. It may subsequently transform itself into a depression over the Lakshadweep area.

Under its influence, rainfall occurred at most places in Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka and Lakshadweep during the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday.

`Very heavy' to `heavy' rainfall was recorded at the following places in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu: Pondicherry Airport, Thanjavur, Yercaud and Keeranur (16 cm each), Cuddalore (15 cm), Thiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri (14 cm each), Vellore (13 cm), Kanchipuram and Tiruchi (12 cm each).

During the next 24 hours, rain or thundershowers have been forecast over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, coastal and south interior Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep, and at many places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

Heavy rainfall warning: Heavy rainfall has been forecast at a few places with isolated very heavy falls over Kerala, Lakshadweep and coastal Karnataka over the next 24 hours.

Isolated heavy falls are also likely over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, south interior Karnataka, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

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