The Hindu Business Line : Summer rains have satisfactory run in Kerala

The summer rain had a mostly satisfactory run through the two-month season beginning March 1 in Kerala, according to the Agromet Advisory dated April 29 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

The season's rainfall was `excess' in Kottayam and Wayanad districts, `normal' in Idukki, Kannur, Kollam, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur and `deficient' in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kasaragod and Kozhikode.

Rainfall for the week ending April 28 `normal' in eight districts, `deficient' in in three and `scanty' in one (Kasaragod).

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are:

April 26: Varkala - 7, Punalur - 4 and Cochin International Airport, Aryankavu, Kanjirappally and Konni - 2 each.

April 27: Idukki - 6, Thodupuzha and Punalur - 5 each, Konni - 4, Kollam and Pattambi - 3 each, and Kottayam, Kanjirappally, Vadakara, Koilandy and Tiruvalla - 2 each.

April 28: Ponnani and Karipur - 2 each.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33 deg C and 34 deg C in various districts, with Alappuzha recording the highest maximum of 35.6 deg C. The maximum was four deg C above normal in Alappuzha the same day and three dg C above normal in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram on April 28.

Mean relative humidity varied between 67 per cent and 79 per cent, mean cloud coverage between four okta and six okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 12 kmph.

Forecast valid until May 1 spoke about rain/thundershowers at isolated places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops:

Harvesting and drying of the `Puncha' paddy crop as well as preparation of nursery for the `Virippu' crop are in progress. The harvested fields saw application of lime and initiation of the ploughing operations. With receipt of rains, coconut and arecanut gardens also saw lime application gather pace.

Pits continue to be dug for new planting in coconut and rubber. New planting was in progress in ginger and turmeric also. Harvesting in fruit crops is also on.

Forecast for 4 days: In paddy, harvesting and drying of the `Puncha' crop and land preparation and sowing in nurseries for the `Virippu' crop can be continued. New planting in tapioca, banana and seasonal vegetables may be undertaken. Harvesting and processing may be resorted to in clove, nutmeg, cocoa, cashew and fruit crops. Land preparation, as also digging pits, for new plantings in coconut and rubber may be persisted with.

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