NE Monsoon weak; Kerala heaves sigh of relief

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 27 (UNI) Keralaites heaved a sigh of relief as the North East monsoon, which wreacked havoc in the past week killing at least six people and damaging standing crops and houses, lowered its fury today.

The Met office said here today that NE Monsoon was weak over the State, with only a few places receiving rain.

Haripad recorded the highest rainfall of two cm followed by Manjeri - one cm. Rain would lash a few places in the State and isolated places in Lakshwadeep.

No death was reported today and the toll in the monsoon fury stood at six.

The State Agriculture Minister Mullakkara said the torrential rains had damaged crops to the tune of Rs 35 crore.

Mr Mullakkara said about 14,000 farmers were affected and standing crops in 4,000 hectares land had been damaged.

Alapuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur and Wayanad districts were the worst hit, the office added.

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