The Hindu Business Line : Rains come in a torrent after monsoon lifts

It would appear as if the monsoon winds waited to get past the cut-off-date to dump their choicest best over mainland Kerala, obliterating a record or two in the process. This tended to offer some consolation, coming as it did after the disastrous June-September season.

On an eventful day on October 4, widespread and torrential rainfall across the State saw Thrissur being pounded to 42 cm of rain, the highest 24-hour rainfall to be recorded in the area during the last 60 years.

This represented the high point of a vigorous spell generated by a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, which brought copious rainfall to Tamil Nadu and other peninsular States as well.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated October 7 and issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, all districts except Wayanad recorded `excess' rainfall during the week under reference. Wayanad received `normal' rain.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (October 4 to 7):

Oct 4: Thrissur - 42; Kunnamkulam - 20; Enamackel and Kannara - 19; Kodungallur - 17; Munnar - 16; Cochin International Airport, Irinjalakuda and Chalakudy - 15 each; Perumbavur - 14; Vadakara, Ponnani, Pattambi, Thrithala and Varkala - 12 each; Angadippuram and Karipur - 11 each; Aluva and Ottapalam - 10; Hosdurg, Kozhikode, Koilandy, Thiruvananthapuram City, Nedumangad and Vadakkanchery - 9; Chengannur, Piravom, Peermade, Parambikkulam, Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Neyyattinkara - 8 each; and Kayamkulam, Mavelikara, Mancompu, Thodupuzha, Kollam, Aryankavu and Manjeri - 7.

Oct 5: Munnar - 8; Thalassery and Kozhikode - 7 each; Piravom, Kannur and Karipur Airport - 6 each; Thaliparamba - 5; and Mavelikara, Perumbavur, Cochin International Airport, Thodupuzha, Idukki, Kollam, Manjeri, Parambikkulam and Kodungallur - 4 each.

Oct 6: Alappuzha - 2; Mancompu, Chengannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kunnamkulam - 1 each.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 28 deg C and 31 deg C in various districts. Punalur recorded the highest maximum temperature of 32.4 deg C on October 5. Mean minimum temperature varied between 21 deg C and 24 deg C. Alappuzha and Punalur recorded the lowest minimum of 20.4 deg C on October 4.

Mean relative humidity varied between 70 per cent and 91 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 7 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 12 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of October 9 spoke about the possibility of rain in isolated places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: In the Mundakan paddy crop, the ongoing works are land preparation, application of organic manure, levelling, sowing and transplanting.

In the Mundakan nurseries yet to be planted, the crop should be watched for pests and diseases.

In coconut, digging of interspaces and fertiliser application are in progress. Harvesting is on in cardamom, sugarcane, tapioca and banana. New planting is being taken up in banana and cashew. Cashew has reached the flushing stages. Pepper is in the maturing stage.

Farm advisory: Transplanting of the Mundakan paddy can be continued. Harvesting of the Virippu crop is almost complete.

The already planted crop should be watched for pests such as gall midge and thrips. Transplanting should be done only two weeks after the application of organic manure. Heavy rains during the past few days have resulted in crop flosses and flooding of the fields.

Drainage facilities should be improved to prevent water stagnation.

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