The flood situation in Kerala continued to be grim, with the death toll increasing to 167 and thousands homeless. Chief minister Pinarai Vijayan announced the death toll at a press conference. Approximately 15,000 people have been rescued from various parts of the state over the past few days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh had spoken to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the situation. Vijayan has said that the situation in Kerala is extremely dire as nearly every village has been affected. An alert has been sounded in 13 districts.
Yesterday, the PM tweeted that he would visit the flood-hit state.
Massive rescue operations have been launched, but the situation continues to be grim. Roads, railways and even airlines connectivity has been hit. Kochi Airport has been shut for the past several days, and an official announcement was made that it would remain closed till Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have all been alerted to prepare to offer additional manpower, boats and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations.
Earlier yesterday, the NDRF team evacuated 926 people to safer places at Pathamithitta, Kozzhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alaphuzza. In Malamphuzha’s Valiyakadu village, a 35 feet long bridge has been built by the Army and almost 100 people including children and senior citizens were rescued. The Coast Guard relief teams have been deployed in areas like Idukki, Aleppi, Aranmula etc. Rescue operations were also on in Thrissur district.
Kerala is witnessing the worst flood situation since 1924, the CM has said.
