The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon lean patch in Kerala

THE northeast monsoon continued its lean patch that has lasted for more than 10 days at a stretch in Kerala in a pattern normally associated with the weather system at this time of the year.

The Agromet Bulletin dated December 2 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, covering the seven days ending December 1 said rainfall was restricted to being `normal' only in Ernakulam and `scanty' in Thiruvananthapuram. The rest 12 recorded absolutely no rain for the period under reference.

As for season's rainfall (the two months from October 1 to December 1), Kannur and Thrissur alone posted the `excess' rain record. The rainfall was `normal' in the following districts - Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram.

In what should come in as relief to weather watchers, `deficient' rainfall was limited to three districts only - Idukki, Palakkad and Wayanad - during the season up till December 1.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 20 degree Celsius and 23 degree Celsius in various districts. The lowest minimum temperature of 18.2 degree Celsius was recorded at the Cochin International Airport on November 30. The minimum temperature was 3 degree Celsius below normal in Alappuzha the same day.

Mean relative humidity varied between 53 per cent and 75 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between 4 and 6 okta and mean wind speed, 2 and 8 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of December 4 spoke about mainly dry weather in all districts. Outlook for the subsequent two days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and stage of crops: The `Mundakan' paddy crop is in the panicle initiation stage. Weeding and second top dressing are in the finishing stage. Intercultural operations such as mulching with green or dry leaves, a second dose of fertiliser application, plant protection measures and provision of shade to young plants are on in coconut gardens, rubber, pepper, arecanut and cardamom. Harvest operations also have commenced in some of these.

Monthly top dressing operations have commenced in banana and tapioca. Pepper berries have reached the maturing stage and harvest has begun. Turmeric and ginger too have reached the harvesting stage. Cashew and fruit trees are in the flushing stage and have started flowering.

New planting continues in banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables. Nutmeg has reached the harvesting stage and intercultural operations are also being adopted in these crops.

Farm advisory: Weeding, water management and second top dressing for `Mundakan' paddy can be continued with. Paddy fields should be closely watched for incidence of pest and disease attack.

The alert issued against pests and diseases in coconut, ginger, vanilla, cashew, banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables issued during the past two weeks holds and needs to be suitably dealt with, the Bulletin said.

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