The Hindu Business Line : Sudden rain breaks week-long lull in Kerala

THE skies opened up suddenly in parts of Kerala, breaking a lull that had come to stay after an extended session of the monsoon played out to the hilt for a full week after the normal withdrawal date.

The extended monsoon brought rain to most parts of the State during the first full week after September 30, the official date for the beginning of the withdrawal. But, the session seemed to have spent itself out towards the weekend - a trend that wore on into the week that followed.

There was `deficient', `scanty' or `no rain' in the State during the second week of October till Thursday (October 14). But, the India Meteorological Department spotted a low-pressure system over the East Central Bay of Bengal the same day. This became well-marked subsequently, bringing associated cloud cover and rain to some parts of the South.

Friday's sudden turn of events can be traced to the lingering effect of the bay system and the upper air circulation over the State.

The northern and central parts of the State had moderate to heavy rain for the day, with Vadakara recording an isolated heavy 9 cm.

Significant rainfall for the day (in cm): Punalur - 6; Alappuzha and Konni - 5 each; Kannur, Karipur Airport, Mavelikara, Aluva, Piravom, Haripad and Thalassery - 4 each

Agromet Bulletin: The Agromet Bulletin dated October 14 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, said rainfall recorded for the week ending October 13 was `deficient' in Pathanamthitta district, `scanty' in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram. There was `no rain' in Kasaragode, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

However, the wet first week of October ensured that 10 districts ended up with `excess' rainfall for the fortnight ending October 13, four districts with `normal' rainfall and one with `deficient' rains.

Chief amount of rainfall in cm (from October 11 to 13):

Oct 11: Devikolam - 3 and Konni - 2.

Oct 12: Kochi Airport, Nilambur and Irinjalakuda - 3 each; Aluva, Chittur and Konni - 2 each; and Cherthala, Piravom, Cochin International Airport, Punalur, Mannarkad, Ottapalam, Alathur, Kollengode and Enamackel - 1 each.

Oct 13: Nilambur - 4; Devikolam, Kanjirappally and Neyyatinkara - 2 each; and Kochi Airport and Thodupuzha - 1 each.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 30 deg C and 33 deg C in various districts. The highest maximum of 33.6 deg C was recorded at Punalur on October 12. The maximum temperature was 3 deg C above normal in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts on October 12.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22 deg C and 25 deg C.

The lowest minimum of 21.5 deg C was recorded at Kottayam on October 12.

Mean relative humidity varied between 67 per cent and 88 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 7 okta, and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of October 16 spoke about the possibility of rain at a few places in all districts.

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

Stage and state of crops: Preparation of the main fields, application of manure and fertilisers and transplanting are in progress in the Mundakan paddy crop. A second dose of fertiliser application is in progress in coconut, arecanut and rubber. Pepper is in the berry maturing stage.

Emergence of new flushes is being noticed in cashew, and plant protection measures are being taken up in the early flowering varieties for controlling tea mosquitoes. New planting and harvesting are on in banana, tapioca, sugarcane and cardamom.

Farm advisory: Application of the basic dose of fertilisers and transplanting of Mundakan paddy can be continued. Fertiliser application may also be persisted with in rubber, pepper, coconut and arecanut.

In pepper gardens, spraying of 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture is recommended to control quick wilt disease.

Thinning and top dressing can be continued in vegetables. Sugar traps, incorporating a pinch of Carbofuran, can be deployed in pandals to check fruit fly attack in developing fruits and cucurbits.

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