India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday declared that the 2006 northeast monsoon has drawn to a close. The start of the season was declared on October 19, and stood out, if at all, for the marked lack of cyclone activity in the peninsular seas. Whatever rain falling over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Andhra Pradesh during the season has come to be attributed to passing easterly waves. The only exception was Cyclone Ogni, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast after taking a circuitous route from the Lakshadweep Sea far into the south. Ogni reached cyclone strength only for a brief period before crossing the coast, but had weakened into a depression while crossing.