The Hindu Business Line : 8 districts record `excess' rainfall in Kerala

THE first fortnight of the southwest monsoon has seen eight districts record `excess' rainfall and the rest seven ending up worthy runners-up by returning `normal' figures in terms of precipitation.

For the record, the strategically important Idukki, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad retuned `excess' figures while Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram had `normal' figures to boast.

Palakkad (+83 per cent), Malappuram (+64 per cent) and Wayanad (+40 per cent), each having bore the brunt of the preceding harsh summer, found themselves amongst the most monsoon-favoured districts.

Kannur (101+) recorded maximum gains, while Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram (-4 each) had to satisfy themselves with the least.

However, during the week ending June 16, Kottayam and Kasaragode recorded `deficient' rainfall, according to the Agromet Advisory dated June 17 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (June 14 to 16):

June 14: Munnar - 11; Peermade - nine; Thodupuzha, Idukki, Devikolam, Mananthavady and Ambalavayal - seven each; Parambikkulam - six, and Thalassery, Vadakara, Perinthalmanna, Mannarkad, Alathur and Kuppady - five each.

June 15: Munnar - 9; Nilambur - 8; Mananthavady - six; Kannur, Thalassery, Kozhikode and Koilandy - four each; and Cochin International Airport, Peermade, Thodupuzha, Manjeri, Karipur Airport, Mannarkad, Alathur, Parambikkulam, Thrissur, Chalakkudy, Kannara, Ambalavayal and Kuppady - three each.

June 16: Pattambi and Thrithala - seven each; Munnar and Karipur Airport - six each; Kannur and Ottapalam - five each; Koilandy and Ambalavayal - four each; and Cochin International Airport, Kasaragode, Hosdurg, Kudulu, Kozhikode, Nilambur, Manjeri and Mannarkad - three each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 73 per cent and 93 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between five and eight okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 14 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of June 19 spoke about the possibility of rain at most places in all districts.

Heavy rainfall warning has been issued for the State for the next 48 hours from June 17. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

State and state of crops: Transplanting operations are over in paddy. The directly sown crop has reached the active tillering stage.

Proper drainage facility needs to be ensured in coconut, arecanut, pepper, clove, cardamom, pineapple and vegetables. Planting of new coconut saplings is apace.

Advisory for four days: In pepper, given the continuous rainfall in plantation areas, a second drenching of vines with one per cent Bordeaux mixture or four-gm/litre copper oxy chloride is called for.

The vines should be tied up to the `standards'. Affected (diseased) vines should be removed and burnt.

Proper drainage facilities should be ensured. Planting in cardamom and pepper may be continued. Weeding and fertiliser application may be taken up in all crops.

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