Worst flood devastates Kerala, death toll mounts to 167; PM Modi to visit affected areas

The worst ever flood in the history of Kerala has devastated the state with almost all the villages inundated in neck deep water. As many as 167 people have lost their lives due to the flood so far, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"We're witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala. Almost all dams are now opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged. Motors are damaged," Vijayan told reporters.

The state government said that most of the people who died were crushed under the debris after several buildings collapsed due to the landslides caused by floods. The rescue mission for thousands stranded in the rising water was on full swing with several teams of Air Force, ITBP and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working round the clock to save residents.

Track All The Live Updates of Kerala Flood Here

Around 3000 people were rescued from the worst affected areas of Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts on Thursday. Local fishermen also joined the rescue mission bringing in their boats to help in the evacuation of the stranded people in various places in Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy.

Heavy rains crippled Rail, Road, Air transport in Kerala. The Southern Railways, Kochi Metro and Kochi Internation Airport have suspended their operations in the flood-hit Kerala. The floods left over 2 lakh people homeless. Rods in Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts turned into rivers.

The heavy rains that began a week ago forced authorities to release water from its 35 reservoirs, sending a surge in the state’s main river. The weather office, meanwhile, has predicted heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds in various parts of the state on Friday.

Also Read | Kerala floods: Farhan Akhtar voices his support to victims

PM Modi to Visit affected areas

In view of the worst flood in the history of Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit on Friday evening after Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral to take stock situation. Modi tweeted that he would be reaching the state later this evening "to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there."