The Hindu Business Line : Kerala: `Excess' rainfall in most places

SOUTH-WEST monsoon continued to be active in the State, with all districts except Wayanad recording `excess' rain during the week ending May 26. Wayanad had a `deficient' rain during the week.

However, the season's rainfall (March 1 to May 26) has been in `excess' of the normal, a trend that has continued to hold after a bountiful summer rain season more than quenched the thirst of the severely drought-stricken areas of the State, especially Palakkad and Wayanad districts.

According to the Agromet Advisory dated May 27 and issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the chief amounts of rainfall for three days from May 24 were (in cm):

May 24: Thodupuzha and Kannur - six each; Kasaragod, Kunnamkulam and Kannara - five each; Thalassery, Kudulu, Koilandy, Thrithala, Kodungallur, Vadakkancherry and Enamackel - four each; and Haripad, Kochi Airport, Piravom, Idukki, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Kanjirappalli, Kozhikode, Ottapalam, Palakkad and Chalakkudy - three each.

May 25: Koilandy - five; Thodupuzha and Vadakara - four each; and Alappuzha, Cherthala, Mancompu, Kochi Airport, Munnar, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Karipur Airport, Thrissur and Kodungallur - three each.

May 26: Alappuzha, Thrithala, Konni, Vadakkancherry and Chalakkudy - three each; and Mancompu, Haripad, Cochin International Airport, Peermade, Munnar, Nilambur, Manjeri, Karipur Airport, Pattambi and Tiruvalla - two each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 70 per cent and 90 per cent in various districts of the State, mean cloud coverage between five and eight okta and mean wind speed, two and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of May 29 spoke about the possibility of rain or thundershowers in all districts.

Heavy rainfall warning has been issued for the State for the next 48 hours. Outlook for the subsequent two days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and stage of crops: Transplanting has commenced in certain areas under `Virippu' paddy with the receipt of early monsoon showers. Elsewhere, application of fertilisers, levelling and maintenance of nurseries are being carried out. Harvesting continues in fruit trees while new planting is on in tapioca, banana, coconut, rubber, spices and fruit crops. Mulching in ginger and turmeric continue as does seednut collection in cashew.

Forecast for 3 days: Paddy nurseries should be drained occasionally to encourage the growth of vigorous seedlings. Planting of ginger and turmeric and harvesting in fruit trees can be continued with. New planting and top dressing can be practiced in all crops with the receipt of monsoon showers.

In pepper, pruning of existing standards and adoption of phytosanitary measures are advised. Spraying of Bordeaux mixture on the vines will help control the quick wilt disease.

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