Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 164, Modi to visit later today

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the death toll has risen to 164 since August 8 in flood-hit Kerala. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will visit the flood hit state later today and aerially survey the flood-ravaged areas on Saturday. The Indian Meteorological Department (MeT) on Thursday said there was a slight reduction in rain intensity over Kerala in the next 48 hours.

The Indian Navy has began airlifting people in Trichur, Aluva and Muvattupuzha. Kozikhode is improving, but central Kerala is still under danger.

The districts which are said to be extremely affected by the floods are Pathanamthitta, areas near the Periyar river in Ernakulam, Idukki (completely cut-off from rest of the state), high-range areas in Kozhikode and Kannur, Thrissur, Wayanad and low-lying areas near water bodies in Palakkad and Thrissur districts.

Earlier, In one of the first unprecedented floods in history, fresh onslaught of rain in Kerala since August 9 has ledto a death toll of over 75 and 35 out of 39 dams have been opened.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called PM of India Modi on Thursday to seek more aid considering the situation. He also sought for additional Army personnel and helicopters.

Cochin International Airport has suspended operations till August 26 due to flooding in and around the airport. A red alert has been issued in all the 14 districts of the state.

Train services have been halted and road transport services are in chaos as roads have submerged under water. Officials said a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in all districts barring Kasaragod for day while colleges and universities have postponed exams.