KALPETTA: Wayanad district received 57 percent (1809.2 millimeter) excess rain this year so far starting from January till date, according to the data from Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS), Ambalavayal. This is happening after two consecutive years of thin monsoon rains. This monsoon season starting from June till date, the district received 1343 millimeter rainfall. The normal rainfall of the district is 814.95 millimeter. It is to be recalled that the district received only 423 millimeter rain in the corresponding period last year.
However experts pointed out that the rainfall data is based on the data of the RARS alone which is in the Sulthan Bathery taluk whereas Vythiri taluk had registered the highest rainfall this monsoon. According to the data released by the district administration, the average of the cumulative rainfall received in the three taluks Vythiri, Mananthavadi and Kalpetta this year was 2009.95 millimeter.
Experts pointed out that the difference may be because of the high rains received by Vythiri taluk. On July 10 the district received 113.33 millimeter rain, the highest. Vythiri received the highest rain fall (176 millimeters). On the day Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavadi taluks received 83.2 millimeter and 80 millimeters rains respectively.
Meanwhile the farmers of the district are still struggling to save their crops from inundated paddy fields. The plantain plantations are the most affected as hundreds of hectares crops are still in flood waters. RARS director Dr P Rajendran told DC that if the present intensity of rain continues for few more days there is all possibility for widespread diseases in crops. "The pepper, paddy and plantain are already affected, he said.
