Weatherman predicts more rains for southern districts

Dr S Balachandran, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, said that southern and delta regions including Tiruchy, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam in the state received a good rainfall on Wednesday as they predicted. 

“The trough of low pressure formed on December, 27 at mean sea level over Southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka coast now lies over Southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Sri Lanka,” he said and added that those areas would witness rains on Thursday too. 

“As far as Chennai is concerned, sky will remain overcast on Thursday and a few pockets in the Kanchipuram and Cuddalore in the northern areas may receive rainfall,” the director said and added that the low-pressure has already weakened. Meanwhile, weather bloggers have predicted yet-another low pressure in January. 

“We cannot come to a conclusion that north-east monsoon is already over. It appears that another low-pressure is likely to form in mid-January. However, there will be only slight rainfall in the state and chances for rains in Chennai appears bleak,” he said and added that the temperature level might come down from December 30.

Untimely rains fail to cheer delta ryots

The Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Tiruchy received widespread rains from Tuesday night which lasted till December 28. However, farmers claimed the rain will not be of any help to the samba crop being raised.

In Tiruvaur and Nagapattinam districts, the rains began around 11.30 pm on Tuesday and continued with intermittent spells. P S Masilamani, district secretary of Tamil Nadu farmers association said the rains would be beneficial only to crops which are yet to sprout the ear of corn. 

“Also, this rain will be beneficial mostly for the crops raised using ground water and energised pumps,” he added. In Thanjavur district, the rains started in the early hours of Wednesday. Kakkarai R Sukumaran, state vice-president of Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers Associations, to seconded Masilamani’s opinion that the rains would be beneficial only for crops cultivated using the borewells in the district. 

Nagapattinam farmers explained that in order to de-weed, the stagnated water-level in the farmlands the rainfall should be at least three centimetres, so that the herbicides can be applied on the weeds. 

“But with the present quantity of downpour, the task could not be done. However, the rainfall will serve some assistance to the farmers of Mayiladuthurai, Kuthalam and Chembanarkovil blocks, where groundwater irrigation is common,” they said. 

“Perhaps, had it rained a few weeks earlier, the dying crops in Kollidam, Sirkazhi and Tarangambadi would have been saved. It is too late now. Another important factor is that the depletion of groundwater in our region is due to increased usage as a result of deficient rainfall,” they added.