The Hindu Business Line : Rainfall weak in onset phase of monsoon

RAINFALL for the week ending June 8, which saw the southwest monsoon set in, was largely weak except on two days. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has since termed the onset phase of monsoon from June 5 as weak and short.

The Agromet Bulletin dated June 9 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram, said Pathanamthitta district (+59 per cent) in the south alone returned `excess' rainfall figures for the week.

Rainfall was `normal' in Alappuzha (-6 per cent); Kollam (-11 per cent) and Kottayam (-4 per cent). Ernakulam (-31 per cent); Idukki (-38 per cent); Kasaragod (-28 per cent); Malappuram (-45 per cent); Palakkad (-22 per cent); Thiruvananthapuram (-49 per cent) and Thrissur (-34 per cent) received `deficient' rainfall while it was `scanty' in Kannur (-83 per cent), Kozhikode (-79 per cent) and Wayanad (-68 per cent).

(`Excess' is taken to mean a deviation of 20 per cent or more from normal; deviation of plus or minus 19 per cent is considered `normal'; minus 20 per cent to 59 per cent as `deficient'; and minus 60 per cent or less, `scanty'.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (June 6 to June 8):

June 6: Konni - 20; Kodungallur - 12; Paravur and Kunnamkulam - 9 each; Mavelikara - 8; Munnar and Kanjirappally - 7 each; Cochin International Airport, Peermade, Thodupuzha, Kudulu, Punalur, Kottayam, Ponnani, Mannarkad, Kollengode and Thiruvalla - 6 each; and Kayamkulam, Perumbavur, Ottapalam, Thrithala and Kannara - 5 each.

June 7: Kasaragod - 7; Kudulu - 5; Hosdurg and Punalur - 3 each; and Mavelikara, Mancompu, Kottayam and Vadakara - 2 each.

June 8: Mancompu - 2; and Alappuzha, Thiruvalla and Thiruvananthapuram City - 1 each.

Mean relative humidity varied between 72 per cent and 92 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 5 okta and 7 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 14 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of June 11 spoke about the possibility of rain in all districts. Alert has been sounded on likely episodes of isolated heavy rainfall on June 10 and 11.

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

Stage and state of crops: The Virippu paddy crop is nearing the panicle initiation stage in the direct sown variety. Transplanting operations has also been picking up.

Fertiliser application and plant protection operations are in progress in coconut and arecanut. New planting and plant protection measures for existing gardens are being carried out in rubber.

New planting, plant protection measures and intercultural operations are going on in pepper, banana and tapioca as well. Harvesting of cashew is over while weeding and fertiliser application are on in ginger and turmeric.

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