The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon vigorous over Kerala western coast

THE second half of monsoon began with a flourish in Kerala, as was the case along much of the western coast, central India and the northwest, during the week beginning July 29.

Heavy to very heavy rains pounded the northern districts in Kerala during the week under reference, especially on August 4, when the summer getaway of Munnar recorded 27 cm of rain.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated August 5 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, rainfall for the week was `excess' in nine districts and `normal' in three. It was `deficient' in Kollam and `scanty' in Thiruvananthapuram.

Forecast valid until the morning of August 7 spoke about the possibility of rain at many places in all districts.

Warning: Isolated heavy rain is likely to occur over the State during the next 48 hours.

Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

The seasonal rainfall (June 1 to August 4) was `normal' in Idukki, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram and `deficient' in the rest of the districts.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (August 2 to August 4):

August 2: Irinjalakkuda - three.

August 3: Munnar - 12; Mananthavady - seven; Nilambur - six; Devikolam and Mannarkad - five each; Manjeri - four; and Thalassery, Hosdurg, Parambikkulam, Irinjalakkuda, Ambalavayal and Kuppady - three each.

August 4: Munnar - 27; Alathur - 18; Thodupuzha - 17; Hosdurg and Pattambi - 15 each; Enamackel - 14; Perumbavur, Ottapalam, Kannara and Mananthavady - 13 each; Mavelikkara, Cochin International Airport, Kannur, Mannarkad and Chalakkudy - 12 each; Piravom, Vadakara, Kollengode, Thrithala and Kunnamkulam - 11 each; Mancompu, Devikolam, Karipur Airport and Thrissur - 10 each; Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Thiruvalla - nine each; Aluva and Kodungallur - eight each; Haripad, Chittur and Konni - seven each; Kanjirappally and Irinjalakkuda - six each; Kottayam - four; and Kayamkulam, Kochi Airport, Punalur and Kumarakom - three each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 71 per cent and 95 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between five okta and eight okta and mean wind speeds, two kmph and 10 kmph.

Stage and state of crops: Various crops have reached the flowering stage. Need-based application of pesticides is recommended for paddy crop. In coconut, plant protection measures against rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil, leaf rot and bud rot are recommended.

In pepper, plant protection measures are being adopted against fungal diseases. New plantings continued in coconut, pepper, arecanut, cashew, tapioca and fruit trees.

Farm advisory: Need based application of pesticide is recommended to control pest attack in paddy.

Spraying of one per cent Bordeaux mixture per tree is recommended to control fungal disease in coconut, arecanut, wilt in pepper and fruit crops.

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