The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon flip-flops

THE South-West monsoon continued to be at its enigmatic best during the four days ending July 3 ranging from being `weak' on June 30 to `active' the very next day.

Rainfall record for the season (June 1-22) revealed that Ernakulam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts have had `excess' rain and nine others `normal'.

Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad recorded `deficient' rainfall during the period.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated July 4 issued by the Thiruvananthapuram Met Office, the chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (June 30 to July 3):

June 30: Irikkur - 5; Kunnamkulam - 4; Thalassery, Kannur, Thodupuzha, and Vadakkancherry - 3 each.

July 1: Koilandy - 14; Munnar and Perinthalmanna - 12 each; Irikkur, Perumbavur, and Chalakkudy - 9 each; Thalassery, Pattambi, Mananthavady, Cochin International Airport, and Ambalavayal - 8 each; Thrithala, Kannur, Karipur Airport, Vadakara, Vadakkancherry, and Thrissur - 7 each; Kozhikode, Ponnani, Varkala, Thodupuzha and Kannara - 6 each; and Kollengode, Alathur, Manjeri, Ottapalam, and Kozha - 5 each.

July 2: Irikkur - 9; Kannur and Vadakkancherry - 6 each; Kozhikode, Pattambi, Thrithala, and Koilandy - 5 each; and Thalassery, Manjeri, Kunnamkulam, and Thodupuzha - 4 each.

July 3: Kannur, Irikkur and Ponnani - 5 each; Alappuzha, Kochi Airport, and Thodupuzha - 3 each; and Karipur Airport, Kozhikode, Perinthalmanna, Cochin International Airport, Kottayam, and Punalur - 2 each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 66 per cent and 95 per cent in various districts.

Forecast valid until the morning of July 6 spoke about the possibility of rain in all districts. Isolated heavy rain has been forecast to occur in the State during the next 48 hours.

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

Stage and state of crops: The `virippu' paddy crop is in the panicle initiation stage. In coconut gardens and arecanut, the ongoing work pertained to new planting, intercultural operation, plant protection measures, harvesting and processing operations.

New planting is being continued with in rubber as well. Banana and tapioca also saw new planting, intercultural operation, top dressing, weeding, plant protection measures, and harvesting operations being taken up.

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