The Hindu Business Line : `Productive' summer shower season continues in Kerala

THE `productive' session with the ongoing spell of summer showers saw as many as 13 out of the 14 districts record `excess' or `normal' rainfall during the season starting March 1 this year and up till April 27.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated April 28 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the following districts recorded `excess' rainfall: Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kollam, Kottayam, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Wayanad.

Three districts - Kannur, Kasaragod and Malappuram - recorded `normal' rainfall while Kozhikode was the lone district to return a `deficient' record.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (April 25 to 27):

April 25: Thrithala and Konni - 5 each; Thodupuzha - 3; and Munnar, Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Nedumangad and Neyyattinkara - 1 each.

April 26: Kuppady - 5; Nedumangad and Neyyattinkara - 3 each; and Chittur, Kollengode and Thiruvananthapuram City - 1 each.

April 27: Nilambur - 4; Cherthala, Perinthalmanna and Alathur - 2 each; and Kannur and Pattambi - 1 each.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33°C and 35°C in various districts in the State.

Kannur recorded the highest maximum of 35.4°C on April 25 and 26. The maximum temperature was 3°C above normal in Thiruvananthapuram district on April 26.

Mean relative humidity varied between 65 per cent and 82 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between 4 okta and 6 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of April 30 spoke about the possibility of rain or thundershowers in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: Harvesting is apace in the Puncha paddy crop. Nursery preparation for the Virippu crop is coming to an end. Application of lime as well as ploughing operations are being taken up in fields where harvesting has been completed.

New planting is in progress in ginger and turmeric. In rubber and coconut, too, pits are being dug for new plantings. Application of lime is being continued with receipt of showers. Planting of `live' standards is in progress in pepper. Harvesting is going on in cashew and fruit crops.

Farm advisory: For ensuring better yields, farmers are advised to select paddy varieties that mature within 115-125 days. Weed icides can be applied six days after sowing is over. Planting of ginger and turmeric may be continued with. New planting, top dressing and intercultural operations can be continued in tapioca and banana.

Weeding, plant protection and irrigation can be taken up in cardamom nurseries. Control measures should be adopted against thrips in existing cardamom gardens.

In coconut, red palm weevil can lead to severe destruction of young plants. Stem bleeding may be reported from some areas. In rubber, budding of stock seedlings for purposes of production can be taken up on receipt of rainfall. In cashew, harvesting may be continued and land preparation persisted with, for new planting.

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