Expect normal northeast monsoon in 27 Tamil Nadu districts

COIMBATORE: First the good news. After a worst-in-140-years drought year, the forthcoming northeast monsoon season would see 27 districts in Tamil Nadu receive normal rainfall, according to a detailed study by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). Now the bad news: five districts would still see a rainfall deficit - Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Perambalur, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar.

The districtwise rainfall forecast was developed by the Agro Climate Research Centre of the TNAU based on the Southern Oscillation Index and Sea Surface Temperature Values of the Pacific and Indian Oceans using the Australian Rainman International V.4.3 software.

The historical rainfall data collected from TNAU research stations were used to represent the district rainfall information. In the absence of data from the research station in a particular district, data from the Rainman Software were used.

There would be normal rainfall in 84 per cent of the State this monsoon season. For the normal rainfall forecast districts, TNAU suggested that existing agro technologies, along with weather-based agro advisories and normal cropping pattern, be followed. For the five anticipated deficit rainfall districts, the TNAU suggested that with the available irrigation facilities, short-duration and less water intensive crops could be raised.