Two persons died when lightning struck their houses here, taking the toll in the heavy summer rains since last week to 13, official sources said. The deceased, identified as Rajesh, 17, a plus-two student from Poovachal and Sajinold, 27, from Nettayam near here died last night when lightening struck, they said.
Three persons earlier died in Wayanad and
Crops in 28236.23 hectares have been destroyed in the unseasonal rains, resulting in a loss of Rs 109.54 crore. A total of 33 houses were fully destroyed and 495 houses partially damaged, the sources said.
In Thiruvananthapuram, crops in 136 hectares had been destroyed and the loss was estimated at Rs 1.96 crore. Around 120 houses were partially damaged in the district.
There was a let-up in the rain in northern districts while Thiruvananthapuram received eight cms of rain, Meterological department sources said.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanadan today visited Thrissur district, where paddy crops in large stretches have damaged in the rains and assured the farmers that their loss would be compensated.