Monsoon weakens; people move out of camps

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 26 (UNI) Kerala heaved a sigh of relief as the South West Monsoon, which had wraught havoc for the past one week claiming 61 lives, forcing thousands of people to relief camps and damaging standing crops and houses, lessened its fury today.

With the waters receding from low lying areas, people were moving out of the relief camps. However, it was estimated that about 10,000 people were still in the 116 relief camps.

No deaths were reported today and property loss was also minimal.

However, the property loss was estimated at Rs 112 crore and the agriculture loss at Rs 307.02 crore.

Reports from different parts of the state said the floods were receding from the low lying areas and the sea was not that rough.

Meanwhile the Local met office said isolated heavy rains were likely to lash the state in the next 48 Hours and also warned of strong onshore winds from the North Westerly direction with speed reaching 45 to 55 Kmph along Kerala coast. It said the highest rainfall of four cm was received at Thallasery, followed by Kasargode -- three cm.

UNI