Date:14/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/14/stories/2005061402901700.htm

Back Monsoon stays weak in Kerala

Our Bureau

THE southwest monsoon continued to be weak in the State on June 9, 11 and 12. Rain occurred at most places on June 10; many places on June 9 and 11; and at a few places on June 12.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated June 13 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (from June 9 to 12):

June 9: Kochi Airport - 5; Karipur Airport and Alappuzha - 4 each; Kozhikode - 3 and Ponnani, Vadakara, Neyyattinkara, Kunnamkulam, Chalakkudy, Kannara and Kanjirappally - 2 each.

June 10: Thodupuzha - 11; Aryankavu - 10; Thiruvananthapuram City and Perinthalmanna - 6 each; Chittur, Munnar, Mannarkad and Varkala - 5 each; and Devikolam, Piravom, Kozha and Kanjirappally - 4 each.

June 11: Nedumangad - 8; Irikkur - 3; and Nilambur, Kochi Airport, Kumarakom and Vadakara - 2 each.

June 12: Kottayam - 2; and Kochi Airport, Cochin International Airport, Punalur and Thiruvananthapuram Airport - 1 each.

Mean relative humidity was in the range of 66 per cent, mean cloud coverage varied between 5 okta and 7 okta, and mean wind speeds, 2 kmph and 6 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of June 15 spoke about the possibility of rain/thundershowers at many places in all the districts. Outlook for the subsequent two days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: `Virippu' paddy crop has reached the panicle initiation stage in the direct sown crop. Intercultural operation, plant protection measures, harvesting and processing operations are proceeding apace. In rubber and coconut, new planting is being continued with. Depending on the stage of the crop, new planting, intercultural operations, top dressing, weeding and plant protection measures are being taken up in banana and tapioca. Harvesting operation in fruit crops is nearing completion.

Farm advisory: Transplanting operations in Virippu paddy can be continued with. Weeding and fertiliser application can be carried out in the direct sown Virippu paddy. Planting can be continued with in the case of all most crops. In coconut, preventive measures should be taken against red palm weevil, rhinoceros beetle, bud rot and stem bleeding.