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THE State continued to experience extreme weather conditions during the four days ending April 10 as an unrelenting sun battered the countryside during the day only to be smothered by drenchers that punctuated the evenings/nights with varying intensity.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated April 11, issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, rain or thundershowers occurred at most places in the State on April 7, at a few places on April 8 and at isolated places on April 9 and 10.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are:

April 7: Enamackel - 15; Chalakkudy and Parambikkulam - 13 each; Kochi Airport - 12; Aluva 11; Thrissur and Kollam - 10 each; Kodungallur, Alathur and Alappuzha - 9 each; Perumbavoor, Cochin International Airport, Ottapalam and Vadakkancherry - 8 each; Piravom - 7; Karipur Airport and Mannarkad - 6 each; and Cherthala, Paravur, Peermade, Munnar, Chittur, Kollengode and Kunnamkulam - 5 each.

April 8: Haripad - 5; Mavelikara - 4; Kochi Airport, Kollam and Cherthala - 3 each; and Piravom, Kodungallur and Mancompu - 2 each.

April 9: Chengannur — 1

Mean maximum temperature varied between 31°C and 34°C in various districts of the State. Punalur recorded the highest maximum of 35.2°C on April 9.

Mean relative humidity varied between 76 per cent and 87 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 8 okta and mean wind speed between 2 kmph and 8 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of April 13 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.

Stage and state of crops: In Mundakan paddy, harvesting can be continued in the late-planted crop and the medium duration varieties. Puncha, the third summer paddy crop, has reached the maturity stages.

Heavy rain being reported from many parts of the State has compromised spraying operation against Eriophid mite in coconut. Collection of seed nuts is in progress in both coconut and cashew.

New planting is being carried out in tapioca, tuber crops, banana, ginger and turmeric with the receipt of intermittent showers. Land preparation and readying of pits for new plantings are in progress in rubber. In pepper, planting of `live standards' is apace. Harvesting continued in fruit crops.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be watched for blast and blight diseases. It is better that the massive spraying against mite in coconuts is discontinued, given the heavy rainfall at many places. Stem bleeding is likely to be reported from some areas. Control measures should be taken against stem borer attack in cashew.

In rubber, tapping can be continued/resumed in intervals of three days. New planting can also be carried out in the plantations. Land preparation for raising the Virippu nursery can be commenced.

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