Kerala...

The Indian Navy on Friday launched Operation Madad to help people stranded in remote locations. “Besides small search vessels, helicopters were also pressed into service. The navy hospital is also ready to meet any eventuality,” the southern naval command said in a statement.

Soldiers from the army and air force and personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force have also been pressed into service, said state revenue minister E Chandrasekharan

News agency PTI quoted unnamed state officials as saying that a total of 53,501 people were housed in 439 relief camps across the state.

A government official said if rain in the catchment areas does not let up, it could be a matter of concern as more water will need to be released.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh will make an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Sunday. Minister of state for tourism KJ Alphons said the state was undergoing the worst flood in its history and Centre will provide all help.

Tourists were barred from entering the hilly Idukki district after roads caved in at many places. Army soldiers were building small bridges to evacuate people stranded at various places in Kozhikode and Wayanad.

People living downstream of Periyar river in Kochi, and Cheruthoni river in Idukki have been warned of a possibility of inundation of banks.

SOLDIERS FROM THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE AND PERSONNEL FROM THE NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF FORCE HAVE ALSO BEEN PRESSED INTO SERVICE, SAID STATE REVENUE MINISTER E CHANDRASEKHARAN