No let-up in Kerala’s rain woes, 180 dead

KOCHI: Almost 120 people died over the past 48 hours in the worst floods to hit Kerala in eight decades, state officials said, as relief and rescue workers stepped up efforts to reach marooned residents by boats and helicopters in the state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Friday to survey the havoc. In some areas, people fled to their rooftops to escape water levels reaching as high as the second floor of their houses.

“We are trying our best to save the marooned. Saving lives is our main concern now. Rescue operation is going on on a war footing with more choppers and boats,” chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told a news conference in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, adding that more than 15,000 people had been evacuated in last two days.

Flooding began from August 8 when rains intensified, causing landslides and swelling rivers that have swept away buildings. Around 180 of the flood-related deaths have taken place since then, including the 120 lives lost in the past two days.

Vijayan said about 223,000 people were taken to 1,568 relief camps. Hours later, Vijayan said in a tweet that 324 lives had been lost in the heavy rainfall and floods that have battered Kerala.

These deaths, according to officials in Vijayan’s office, were recorded since the end of May when the monsoon made landfall.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the state on Friday and was expected to survey some of the worst-hit regions.