An analysis of rainfall in South Indian coffee tracts, 2: Tamil Nadu and Kerala

An analysis was carried out to study the rainfall pattern, its quantum distribution, variability or stability during the forty years (1950-'89) in four coffee growing zones viz., Pulneys, Nilgiris, Shevroys and Anamalais of Tamil Nadu state and two zones viz., Wayanad and Nelliampathies in Kerala state. In Tamil Nadu, Anamalais, which received 73 per cent of annual rainfall in South West monsoon, was distinctly different from the other three zones which got an equal quantity in both South West and North East monsoon seasons. January rainfall among the months and winter rainfall among the seasons were found to be hightly unstable. March to May were the most favourable months for getting adequate blossom showers in these regions. There had been a decline in the amount of rainfall in Anamalais (13 per cent) and Shevroys (8 per cent) in the fourth decade (1980-'89) compared to the first decade (1950-'59). While Pulneys had registered a marginal increase in annual rainfall, in Nilgiris the increase was substantial. However, summer showers had declined in all the zones ranging from 27 mm in Shevroys to 184 mm in Pulneys. Among the two zones of Kerala, Nelliampathies received about 1000 mm more rainfall than Wayanad. In all other aspects of rainfall both the zones were found to be similar. South West monsoon contributed 69-79 per cent and was highly stable January rainfall was the most variable followed by February and December. Among the summer months, adequate blossom showers could be expected in April than in March. There was about 10 per cent decline in rainfall in the fourth decade over the first decade in both the regions

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	108287 Radhakrishnan, S., 109582 Reddeppa Raju, V., 83996 Krishnamurthy Rao, W.
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	Jul
Subjects:	ZONAS CAFETERAS, LLUVIA, TAMIL NADU, KERALA,
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