Troop reinforcements stepped up desperate rescue attempts in India’s flood-stricken Kerala state on Friday after more than 100 bodies were found in a day and a half, taking the crisis death toll to at least 324.
With thousands still trapped, power and communication lines down and fresh alerts of further torrential rain, authorities warned of even more trouble ahead.
More than 30 military helicopters and 320 boats are attempting rescues across Kerala, which is suffering its worst floods in nearly a century, officials said.
Extra troops have been sent in and local fishermen have also joined the operation with their boats.
Thousands of people have been rescued so far, according to authorities, but they believe more than 6,000 are still waiting to be saved.
More than 321cm of rain has fallen in Idukki, a hilly district in central Kerala which since June 1 has been one of many areas now virtually cut off, according to the India meteorological department.
The floods have risen in the past 10 days. And with no end in sight to the deluge, people all over the state of 33 million people have made panic-stricken appeals on social media for help, saying they cannot get through to rescue services.
“My family and neighbouring families are in trouble with flood in Pandanad nakkada area in Alappuzha,” Ajo Varghese said in a Facebook post.
“No water and food. Not able to communicate from afternoon. Mobile phones are not reachable and switch off. Please help. No rescue is available,” he added.
A video of a man neck-deep in water in his house in Chengannur, another badly affected district, has also gone viral.
Other messages have been sent from people trapped in temples and hospitals as well as in their homes.
“The chief minister has confirmed 164 deaths (since August 9). Around 100 people died in the last 36 hours alone,” a Kerala government spokesman said. The Kerala government has said it faces an extremely grave crisis and state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned of a new wave of rainfall hitting the battered region.
The gates of dozens of dams and reservoirs across the state have been opened as water levels reach danger levels. That has added to the submerging of many villages.
North and central Kerala have been worst hit by the floods, with the international airport in the main city of Kochi shut until at least August 26. Almost 200,000 people made homeless across the state have moved into hundreds of relief camps, but many of those are now threatened by the floods.
On top of tourist cancellations, Kerala’s valuable rubber industry has been badly hit.
The state is renowned for its palm-lined beaches and tea plantations. The government says 10,000km of Kerala roads have been destroyed or damaged along with thousands of homes.
News reports said electricity supplies to more than half the state have been cut.
The home ministry announced meanwhile that 868 people have been reported dead in seven Indian states including Kerala since the start of the monsoon in June.
India ravaged by torrential rains
At least 324 dead and thousands trapped in Kerala state, with more downpours predicted
Image: SIVARAM V/ REUTERS
Troop reinforcements stepped up desperate rescue attempts in India’s flood-stricken Kerala state on Friday after more than 100 bodies were found in a day and a half, taking the crisis death toll to at least 324.
With thousands still trapped, power and communication lines down and fresh alerts of further torrential rain, authorities warned of even more trouble ahead.
More than 30 military helicopters and 320 boats are attempting rescues across Kerala, which is suffering its worst floods in nearly a century, officials said.
Extra troops have been sent in and local fishermen have also joined the operation with their boats.
Thousands of people have been rescued so far, according to authorities, but they believe more than 6,000 are still waiting to be saved.
More than 321cm of rain has fallen in Idukki, a hilly district in central Kerala which since June 1 has been one of many areas now virtually cut off, according to the India meteorological department.
The floods have risen in the past 10 days. And with no end in sight to the deluge, people all over the state of 33 million people have made panic-stricken appeals on social media for help, saying they cannot get through to rescue services.
“My family and neighbouring families are in trouble with flood in Pandanad nakkada area in Alappuzha,” Ajo Varghese said in a Facebook post.
“No water and food. Not able to communicate from afternoon. Mobile phones are not reachable and switch off. Please help. No rescue is available,” he added.
A video of a man neck-deep in water in his house in Chengannur, another badly affected district, has also gone viral.
Other messages have been sent from people trapped in temples and hospitals as well as in their homes.
“The chief minister has confirmed 164 deaths (since August 9). Around 100 people died in the last 36 hours alone,” a Kerala government spokesman said. The Kerala government has said it faces an extremely grave crisis and state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned of a new wave of rainfall hitting the battered region.
The gates of dozens of dams and reservoirs across the state have been opened as water levels reach danger levels. That has added to the submerging of many villages.
North and central Kerala have been worst hit by the floods, with the international airport in the main city of Kochi shut until at least August 26. Almost 200,000 people made homeless across the state have moved into hundreds of relief camps, but many of those are now threatened by the floods.
On top of tourist cancellations, Kerala’s valuable rubber industry has been badly hit.
The state is renowned for its palm-lined beaches and tea plantations. The government says 10,000km of Kerala roads have been destroyed or damaged along with thousands of homes.
News reports said electricity supplies to more than half the state have been cut.
The home ministry announced meanwhile that 868 people have been reported dead in seven Indian states including Kerala since the start of the monsoon in June.
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