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THE skies have opened up in the State a little more than two months after the northeast monsoon lifted, bringing in the first few spells of the eagerly awaited summer showers in many areas.

In the words of Mr M.D. Ramachandran, Director, Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, the archetypal thundershowers have arrived at least a week before schedule.

There is, however, no hard and fast rule that determines their occurrence not least because they conform to what in meteorological parlance is termed as convective showers. They can be purely localised in nature.

According to the Agromet Bulletin dated March 7 issued by the Met Office, rain/thundershowers occurred at isolated places in the State on March 5 and 6 while dry weather prevailed on March 3 and 4. The mercury probed new highs during the period.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are:

March 5: Alappuzha - 3; Cherthala and Kochi Airport - 2 each.

March 6: Thiruvananthapuram City - 1

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33°C and 37°C in various districts. Vellanikkara recorded the highest maximum of 37°C on March 4. The maximum was 3°C above normal in Thiruvananthapuram district on March 4.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22°C and 25°C in various districts. Kottayam recorded the lowest of 21.7°C on March 6. Mean relative humidity varied between 64 per cent and 77 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between one okta and five okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 12 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of March 9 spoke about the possibility of rain/thundershowers at isolated places in all districts of the State. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: In Mundakan paddy, the late planted and medium-duration varieties are in the harvesting stage. Some areas saw harvesting begin as well. Puncha, the third summer crop, is in the tillering stage.

Massive spraying operation is still being continued with to control the widespread attack of Eriophid mite in coconut. Intercultural operations, plant protection measures and shading of young plants are in progress in coconut, arecanut, nutmeg and cardamom. These crops also saw harvesting and processing operations begin at some places. Seed nut collection is in progress in arecanut. Grooming of rooted pepper cuttings is going on. Rubber tapping continued to be affected in most areas due to winter leaf fall. Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are in progress in banana, tapioca and vegetables.

New planting is being continued with in tapioca wherever there are irrigation facilities. Cashew saw harvesting begin in some areas.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for leaf folder, rice thrips and blast disease. Cultivation of pulses, sesamum and vegetables in fallow paddy lands can be continued with. The massive community spraying against mite attack in coconut must be persisted with. Plant protection measures should be taken against red palm weevil and leaf eating caterpillar. Incidence of stem bleeding is likely in some areas.

Coconut and other garden land crops must be irrigated at least once in every 14 days wherever possible depending on crop, soil and water availability. Control measures should be adopted against stem borer attack in cashew. New planting can be carried out in banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables in areas with assured irrigation facility. Based on leaf fall intensity, rubber tapping must be temporarily withheld. But tapping can be resumed in intervals of three days.

New planting (if gap filling is required), weeding and fertiliser application may be carried out in rubber. Nursery preparation of coconut, arecanut and pepper may be continued with.

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