The Hindu Business Line : Dry spell continues in Kerala

MAINLY dry weather prevailed in the State during the week ending September 1, as was mostly the case with the meteorological divisions elsewhere in the country.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated September 2 issued by the Thiruvananthapuram Met Office, the number of districts receiving `normal' rainfall during the four-month-period ending September 1 had been reduced to four, while the rest 10 fell under the `deficient' category.

Idukki, Kannur, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram managed to retain the `normal' rainfall status even as the southwest monsoon prepared to enter the last leg.

Forecast valid until the morning of September 4 spoke about mainly dry weather over most parts of the State. Although the outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change, the southwest monsoon was expected to deliver a fresh spell from the weekend onwards.

According to Dr M. Rajeevan, Director, Forecasting, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune, the spell was expected to last 7-10 days. Most parts of the peninsula, including Kerala, were likely to receive some good rain under its effect, he had told Business Line.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (Aug 31 to Sept 1):

Aug 31: Chalakudy - 1.

During the week ending September 2, mean relative humidity varied between 65 per cent and 87 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 1 okta and 6 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 14 kmph.

Stage and state of crops: The Virippu paddy crop is nearing the grain filling stage. Sowing of `Mundakan' paddy is also in progress. In coconut gardens, the green manure crop is being grown `in situ' as is application of magnesium sulphate, wherever necessary.

Weeding and top dressing with fertilisers continued in tapioca, banana, rubber, pepper, vegetables and fruit crops. These crops also saw new planting being taken up. Pepper is in the berry setting stage and plant protection measures are being taken up.

Farm advisory: Maintenance of Mundakan nurseries can be taken up and land preparation and sowing operations taken up in paddy.

In banana, tapioca and vegetables, new planting, weeding and top dressing operations can be pursued in places which have received intermittent rain. In order to control the spread of fungal diseases, spraying of one per cent Bordeaux mixture may be tried out.

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