Usually heavy rainfall in December 2005 and January 2006 (569.0 mm and 589.2 mm respectively), resulted in flooding at the Research Station and in the Mahaicony area in general.  The extent and duration of the flooding resulted in the abandonment of all experimental work at the Burma Research Station.  Trials located in the other rice growing regions (Regions 2 & 6) were less affected by flooding.  January, May and June were the wettest months during 2006, recording rainfall of 587.2 mm, 488.7 mm and 430.3 mm respectively, while March, September and April were the driest months, with rainfall of 28.7 mm, 36.0 mm and 46.7 mm respectively.  The total rainfall for 2006 was 2530 mm.

A summary of the average daily rainfall for January to December 2006 is given below.

SUNSHINE HOURS:

The sunshine hour record for 2006 revealed that the month of August recorded the highest amount of sunshine hours (279.6) followed by September and April (265.9 and 245.9 hrs respectively).  August 2005 was also the month when the highest amount of sunshine hours for that year was recorded.

The months recording the lowest sunshine hour values in 2006 were January (129.0 hrs), May (178.7) hrs) and December (197.6 hrs).  The total sunshine hours for 2006 were 2648.6.    A summary of the average daily sunshine hours for January to December 2006 is given below.