The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon fails to wag its tail

EVEN as the southwest monsoon looks to emerge out of its weeklong slumber and set on its coverage of the north and northwest parts of the country, its tail that extends to the South has largely failed to wag in tandem.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated July 5, issued by the Thiruvananthapuram Met Office, the southwest monsoon was weak over Kerala on the first four days of the performance-wise crucial month of July.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (July 1 to 4):

July 1: Kannur, Varkala, Koilandy, Kollengode and Nedumangad - two each; and Thalassery, Hosdurg, Chittur, Punalur, Cochin International Airport, Cherthala, Kochi Airport, Kottayam, Punalur, Thiruvalla, Devikolam, Vadakkancherry, Chalakkudy, Aluva and Perumbavoor - one.

July 2: Thalassery, Thodupuzha and Munnar - three each; Koilandy, Kollengode and Karipur Airport - two each; and Nilambur, Pattambi, Chittur, Kozhikode, Kanjirappally, Kottayam, Chalakkudy, Devikolam, Piravom, Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Cherthala, Haripad and Kochi Airport - one each.

July 3: Mannarkad, Aluva and Piravom - three each; Hosdurg, Kozhikode and Kottayam - two each, and Karipur Airport, Kollengode, Kanjirappally, Thiruvalla and Thodupuzha - one each.

July 4: Karipur Airport - four; Kozhikode, Cochin International Airport and Kottayam - two each; and Kochi Airport and Punalur - one each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 68 per cent and 91 per cent, mean cloud coverage between two okta and eight okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and eight kmph.

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

Stage and state of crops: The paddy crop is nearing the panicle initiation stage. Second weeding and top dressing operations are in progress. In coconut gardens, opening of basins and application of organic manure are being taken up. New planting operations continue in tapioca, vegetables, coconut, cashew, arecanut, pepper and other spices. Intercultural weeding operations and fertiliser and organic manure application continue in almost all crops. Cashew has reached the flushing stage and pepper is in the spike initiation stage.

Agricultural advisory: A bout of stem borer and leaf roller attack is likely in `Virippu' paddy crop and spraying of Monocrotophos at 1.2 ml per litre of water is recommended in severe cases. Do not allow water to stagnate in perennial crops.

Fertiliser application should be avoided during heavy downpour. New planting, weeding and organic manure application can be taken up in all crops.

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