The Hindu Business Line : Northern Kerala districts gain from Oct rains

WAYANAD (+79 per cent), Kannur (+68 per cent) and Idukki (+60 per cent) shared the maximum spoils in cumulative rainfall recorded in the State during the first 20 days after the June-September season ended.

Wayand had ended up with the maximum deficit (-35 per cent) at the end of the southwest monsoon, while Kannur managed to hold on to the bare normal, although on the negative side (-19 per cent).

Being among the worst drought-hit districts in the State, the early October rains brought some cheer to these districts.

But the three other northern districts were not as lucky this time round. Kasaragode continued its bad run (-22 per cent), taking off from the -33 per cent at the end of the southwest monsoon.

For Kozhikode, they were -25 per cent and -20 per cent respectively. Palakkad fared comparatively better with +5 per cent and -16 per cent.

Lakshadweep Islands was the other big loser, running up a huge -66 per cent in early October rains, after having managed to post a `normal' (-9 per cent) at the end of the preceding season.

Northeast monsoon: The India Meteorological Department declared the northeast monsoon as having set in on October 18, the day that marked the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon as well.

At the end of the first week, the northeast monsoon returned a mixed record with rains being dominant in the North of the State and relatively weak in the South.

The southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam and the higher reaches of adjoining Pathanamthitta and Idukki are known to be the biggest beneficiaries of the northeast monsoon. These areas should get their due as the season progresses, say weather watchers.

Agromet bulletin: The northeast monsoon was `active' in the State on October 19 and 22, `weak' on October 21 and 23. Rain occurred at most places on October 22, many places on October 19 and 20 and at a few places on October 18, 21, 23 and 24.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated October 25 and issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (from October 18 to 24):

October 18: Thrithala - 10; Thodupuzha and Mannarkad - 6 each; Piravom - 5; Nilambur, Manjeri, Pattambi, Konni and Kuppady - 3 each

October 19: Mancompu - 7; Mavelikara, Munnar, Neyyattinkara and Enamackel - 6 each; and Ottapalam and Thiruvananthapuram city - 5 each

October 20: Nilambur - 5; Kannur, Kumarakom and Mannarkad - 4 each; Kanjirappally, Perinthalmanna and Thiruvalla - 3 each

October 21: Karipur Airport - 2; Alappuzha and Kochi Airport - 1 each

October 22: Kottayam - 9; Kochi Airport and Varkala - 4 each; Alappuzha, Kollam, Kumarakom, Thrithala and Pattambi - 3 each

October 23: Kochi - 6; Hosdurg - 3; and Neyyattinkara - 2

October 24: Kumarakom - 3; Cherthala and Kottayam - 2 each

Mean maximum temperature varied between 32 deg C and 33 deg C in various districts, with Cochin International Airport recording the highest maximum of 34.8 deg C on October 20.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22 deg C and 25 deg C with Alappuzha recording the lowest minimum of 19.9 deg C on October 19.

Mean relative humidity varied between 64 per cent and 87 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 6 okta and mean wind speed between 2 kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of October 26 spoke about the possibility of rain/thundershowers at a few places in all districts.

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

State and stage of crops: Transplanting operations in Mundakan paddy crop are proceeding apace. The direct sown crop has reached the early tillering stage. Weeding and a second dose of fertiliser application are on in coconut, arecanut and rubber.

New planting and harvesting operations are progressing in banana, tapioca and sugarcane. Cashew is in the flushing to flower initiation stage.

Farm advisory: Fertiliser application and planting can be continued with in Mundakan paddy. The transplanted paddy fields should be watched for possible infestation by gall midge and thrips.

Severe cases of infestation have been reported in 15-day-old crops from Kottayam; application of Carbofuran or Phorate granules is recommended for controlling the pest.

Intercultural operations, fertiliser application and plant protection measures can be continued in coconut gardens. Spraying of 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture is recommended to control leaf rot in coconut, mahali and fruit rot in arecanut, quick wilt in pepper, fruit rot in nutmeg and azhukal in cardamom.

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