The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon favours northern regions in Kerala

Seasonal rainfall (October 1 to November 3) statistics reveal that seven districts - Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kannur, Kasaragode, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur - recorded `excess' rainfall while the rest - Idukki, Kollam, Palakkad, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad - recorded `normal' rainfall.

The northeast monsoon is known to dump most of the rain in the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam and along the higher reaches of Idukki and Pathanamthitta, which house most of the State's hydel reservoirs. But occasional spells of controlled fury apart, the mostly violent afternoon weather associated with the season has been conspicuous by its absence in the southern districts.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated November 4 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (November 1 to November 3):

November 1: Kozhikode - 11; Nilambur - 10; Kudulu - 8; Kodungallur, Kunnamkulam, Chalakkudy and Enamackel - 7 each; Haripad and Parambikkulam - 6 each; Mancompu, Koilandy, Manjeri, Alathur, Irinjalakkuda and Mananthavady - 5 each; and Kasaragode, Vadakara, Ponnani, Karipur Airport, Vadakkancherry and Kannara - 4 each.

November 2: Parambikkulam - 14; Hosdurg - 9; Mannarkad - 6; Kodungallur - 5; Mancompu, Cochin International Airport and Thiruvananthapuram Airport - 4 each; and Cherthala, Munnar, Kannur, Kasaragode, Kudulu, Punalur, Neyyatinkara, and Chalakkudy - 3 each.

November 3: Kanjirappally - 2 and Piravom - 1.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 21 deg C and 24 deg C, with Alappuzha recording the lowest minimum of 21.3 deg C on November 1. The minimum temperature was 3 deg below normal there the same day.

Mean relative humidity varied between 67 per cent and 90 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 7 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of November 6 spoke about the possibility of rain/thundershowers at a few places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: The `Mundakan' paddy crop is in the early tillering to maximum tillering stage. Intercultural operations, a second dose of fertiliser application and plant protection measures are in progress in coconut gardens as well as in rubber, pepper, arecanut and cardamom. Pepper is in the berry developing to maturing stage.

Cashew and fruit trees are in the flushing stage. New planting continues in banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables. Nutmeg is nearing the harvesting stage. Top dressing is also being practised in these crops following intercultural operations. Rubber tapping continues. Harvesting is apace in cardamom and sugarcane.

Farm advisory: Fertiliser application for the Mundakan crop (if not already done) should be taken up. Paddy fields should be closely watched for pest attack and other diseases. Should the incidence of blast, sheath blight or sheath rot prove severe, spraying of Ediphenphose or Carbendazim at 1 ml dissolved in 1 litre of water should be resorted to.

If it is a case of leaf roller, stem borer or plant hoppers, the crops should be sprayed with Carbaryl 50 per cent WP 2.5 kg or Phosphamidon 40 per cent EC formulations, 625 ml, dissolved in 300 litres of water. In areas with crop damage due to excessive rain and flooding, re-sowing can be done with short duration varieties.

Leaf rot is likely in coconut, in which case spraying of 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture is recommended. Hook out rhinoceros beetle using a beetle hook while harvesting coconut.

Leaf mould application for vanilla can be continued along with trenching of soil and around the base and spraying on foliage with 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture to control the fungal disease affecting the stem, flower and fruits. Mother plant marking and labelling for selection for vine and rooted seedling nursery can also be done.

Time is ripe for a second application of Phorate/Carbofuran to control nematode related to yellowing and also for prophylactic trenching of soil around the vine with one per cent Bordeaux mixture for controlling phytophthora foot rot.

More Stories on : Climate & Weather | Kerala

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page