Death toll in Kerala floods touches 357; 'In middle of disaster,' says CM Vijayan

COCHI: The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for 11 districts in flood-hit Kerala on Saturday. Heavy and widespread rainfalls is expected in all districts except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam & Kasaragod, informed the office of Kerala Chief Minister. 

Heavy rains is likely to continue across the state following low pressure area very likely to develop over northwest Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during the next 24 hours. 

The southern state is facing its worst flood situation in a century with 80 dams shutters opened and all rivers in spate. Over 194 people have lost their lives since August 8 and 36 are missing, informed the control room of the State Disaster Management. The overall death toll since May 29 is 357, informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. More than 3.53 lakh affected persons have been shifted to 2,000 relief camps.

Some of the worst affected places include Aluva, Chalakudy, Chengannur, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, where massive rescue operations were on as scores of persons were rescued by rescue teams.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister K J Alphons conducted an aerial survey of some of the areas affected by flood.

The Prime Minister later announced Rs 500 crore as immediate aid for the state, in addition to the 100 crore announced earlier.

"I salute the people of Kerala for their fighting spirit... The nation stands firmly with Kerala in this hour," Modi said in a series of tweets after chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation.

18 August 2018

23:11 IST

Three more teams of NDRF have been moved from Pune to Kerala. Earlier, four teams had been sent. A total of seven NDRF teams from Pune have been sent for rescue operations.

22:15 IST

Besides Telangana state government contribution of Rs 25 Crore to Kerala, I personally pledge my 1-month salary to flood relief. I request my colleague legislators to also contribute as much as possible: Telangana Municipal Administration & IT Minister KT Rama Rao