The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon remains inactive in Kerala

MAVELIKKARA (12.2 mm) and Irinjalakkuda (10 mm) recorded isolated rainfall while Vaikom (6.2 mm) and Mancompu (4 mm) experienced moderate rainfall on June 21 even as the rest of the State went without rain during the week ending June 23, said the agromet advisory dated June 24 issued by the Thiruvananthapuram Met Office.

This was in keeping with the larger scenario in central and south India with the one-month-old southwest monsoon going into a sulk after rain-bearing clouds dissipated temporarily over the peninsular region. This was the first of the customary pauses the system is normally known to strike to "take a deep breath in" before proceeding to take off from where it stopped, experts in the India Meteorological Department informed Business Line.

The seasonal rainfall (June 1 to 23) was `excess' in Idukki, Kannur, Malappuram and Palakkad districts and `normal' in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kasaragode, Kollam, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Wayanad districts. Kottayam recorded `deficient' rainfall.

Rainfall (in mm) for June 21-23 period:

June 21: Mavelikkara - 12.2; Irinjalakkuda - 10.0; Vaikom - 6.2; Mancompu - 4.40; and Kottayam - 3.8.

June 23: Vadakara - 4.6.

Mean relative humidity varied between 66 per cent and 86 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between three and seven okta and mean wind speed between two and eight kmph.

Forecast valid until June 26 morning indicates possibility of rain at a few places in all districts. No significant change is expected for the subsequent two days. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not see any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: For the directly sown crop, first weeding and top dressing are in progress wherever the crop had reached the maximum tillering stages. In coconut and areca nut, opening up of basins and application of fertilisers and organic manure continue. Fertiliser application subsequent to intercultural operations continue in rubber, pepper, spices, tubers and vegetables.

Advisory for four days: First weeding and fertiliser application can be continued in paddy crop that has reached the maximum tillering stage. Intercultural operations and manuring can also be continued in almost all crops.

Drainage facilities should be improved for perennial crops to prevent water stagnation and diseases. Fertiliser application is best avoided during times of heavy rainfall.

More Stories on : Climate & Weather | Kerala

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