Kerala floods: Death toll reaches 167, rains subside in some regions

The death toll in Kerala owing to floods have increased to 167, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press conference on Friday morning.  He said that rains have subsided in some regions, though situation continues to be grim in many parts. Vijayan confirmed that currently 2.23 lakh people have been evacuated who are staying in over 1500 relief camps across the state. Kerala CM today had telephonic conversation with both PM Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to brief them about the latest situation. 

Kerala CM said that situation is extremely serious is 4 districts of the state, which are Allappuzha, Ernakulam, Pathanmittha and Thrissur. 14 Army teams, 43 NDRF teams are currently in operation in the state. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday evening head to Kerala to review the flood situation in the state.

"Had a telephone conversation with Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan just now. We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations. Later this evening, I will be heading to Kerala to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to flooding," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss flood situation in the state. He had also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state.

Meanwhile, a red alert was sounded in 13 districts of Kerala, except Kasaragod today. A read has been sounded for Ernakulam and Idukki districts for tomorrow as well. The Indian Coast Guard's rescue and relief team from Vandiperiyar has been shifted to the flood-affected Manjumala village in Kerala?s Idukki district. So far, the team has rescued 16 stranded people from the village. Food and dry ration have been distributed among them.
Earlier this morning, five units of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) reached Thiruvananthapuram and were deployed for rescue operations. 35 teams are expected to reach there today.

The Centre has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the state owing to the flood situation which is worsening by the day. Yesterday, in view of the prevailing floods situation in Kerala, a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) was held to scale up assistance and ensured continued relief and rescue operations.
 

With ANI inputs