Kerala floods live: Death toll rises to 94, PM Modi discusses situation with CM

The situation in the southern state of Kerala further worsened on Thursday with the death toll across the state reaching over 70 since August 8 in the worst floods in nearly a century. A total of 12 fresh deaths were reported on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacting to the grim situation asked the Ministry of Defence to step up the rescue and relief operations. He also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan discussing the current situation in the state.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh also had a telephonic conversation with CM Vijayan and assured the Centre is rushing additional NDRF teams to Kerala. He added that the Centre is providing all possible assistance to the state.

The entire state has been put on a red alert since Wednesday evening. Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala has been the worst affected in the last 24 hours as thousands of people -- students among others were trapped in their homes. More rains were forecast till Saturday. Train operations between Ernakulam and Angamaly have been stopped and at Thiruvananthapuram railway station tickets are not being issued. All educational institutions were closed on Thursday. 

Here are the live updates:

16 August 2018

21:40 PM

The death toll in Kerala has reached 94, according to news agency ANI. Around 2857 houses have been damaged and 3393 hectares of crops have been damaged. 1,65,538 people have been transferred to 1,155 relief camps. 11 people are reported missing while 41 are injured, according to ANI. 

16:36 PM

Earlier on Thursday, the Coast Guard helicopters held rescue operation over Ernakulam. Visuals from the rescue operations were released by ANI.
The Coast Guard on Thursday rescued 132 people from Thrissur, Aluva and Perumbavoor.

#WATCH: Rescue operations held by Coast Guard helicopters over Ernakulam, earlier today. 132 people have been rescued from Thrissur, Aluva & Perumbavoor by Coast Guard helicopters today. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/JqJ0dsbSPs

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

16:31 PM

Three teams of Indian Navy, deployed at Perumbavoor on Wednesday, rescued 45 people from Machilipatnam.

16:21 PM

The Supreme Court has asked the High Power Committee to order a meeting by Friday morning to tackle with the rising water level in Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala. 

16:19 PM

We have deployed teams in 7 districts. 14 teams are already there and today we are sending another 12 teams & if required more teams will be sent. We are working for rescue, evacuation and relief in coordination with the state authorities: Sanjay Kumar, DG NDRF #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/VoTyptz641

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

14:10 PM

According to ANI, 12 more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Six teams are from Delhi while the other six are from Gandhinagar. A total of 18 teams are already deployed in the state. 

12 more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - 6 from Delhi and 6 from Gandhinagar - are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 18 teams are already deployed in the state. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/uCcm8TTAlg

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

13:43 PM

Idukki: Visuals from a relief centre set up in Kumily after flood water entered villages in the area #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ywgJAstqwd

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

13:43 PM

Kochi: Flood water spreads across the city in Kalamassery region. Roads damaged and water continues to flow inside the city. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/xom1Xoexrv

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

12:32 PM

Idukki: Visuals from a relief centre set up in Kumily after flood water entered villages in the area #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ywgJAstqwd

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

12:11 PM

Reacting to the current scenario, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan told that it is a "very serious situation". He said, "Very serious situation is prevailing in the state as nearly all villages are flood affected. I had a telephonic conversation with PM, HM and Defence minister, they have offered all support. More helicopters to be deployed soon."

12:08 PM

#KeralaFloods : Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducts rescue operation in Thrissur district's Arattupuzha village pic.twitter.com/NXFkgpf8CO

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

12:05 PM

Below is how a person can help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Kerala.

Donations can be made online to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund through the site-- donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/ 

11:46 AM

Twelve districts in Kerala have been severely affected. These are the worse floods since 1924. I met PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister on Wednesday. Army, Navy, IAF, Coast Guard and NDRF are conducting rescue and relief operations. It is predicted that water levels will rise: Union Minister for Tourism KJ Alphons

11:42 AM

Taking to Twitter, PM Vijayan said, "Air lifting has started in Chalakudy and Bhoothathankettu areas. Please stand in open areas on top of buildings and houses to avoid possible hindrances by trees. Floating devices, lifeboats and life jackets will be airdropped to stranded groups of 50 or more people."

11:41 AM

Under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha, a Crisis Management Group Committee meeting is underway at Home Ministry.

11:40 AM

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has evacuated 926 persons to a safer place so far at Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha.

11:29 AM

Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala. @CMOKerala

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018

11:28 AM

Had a telephonic conversation with Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan regrading the prevailing flood situation in the state. The Centre is rushing additional NDRF teams to Kerala. We are providing all possible assistance. I am in constant touch with Kerala CM. @CMOKerala

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2018

11:28 AM

Two tourists have been stranded inside a bus in Munnar. All routes are either flooded, or blocked due to mudslides.

11:27 AM

The Army built a 35 feet long bridge and rescued 100 people (approx) including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village.

#Kerala: Army built a 35 feet long bridge and rescued 100 people (approx) including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/PvY1EHRnZT

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

11:26 AM

Metro train services in Kochi has been suspended as water level rises in Muttom Metro yard area. 

#Kerala: Visuals of waterlogging in parts of Kochi; Metro train services suspended as water level rises in Muttom Metro yard area pic.twitter.com/kVRYJLtqIZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

11:26 AM

Southern Naval Command suspends all training activities to support in the flood relief operations as requested by Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). All resources mobilised for rescue and relief efforts in Ernakulam and Trichur.

11:26 AM

The water level in Mullaperiyar Dam has risen to 142 feet. The water level in Achankoil river at Alappuzha's Kollakadavu has also risen. In a first, the sluices of 33 dams across Kerala were opened on Tuesday, following incessant rains since late that day as the Met forecast more till Saturday.