New Delhi (Sputnik) — According to the latest official figures over 167 people have lost their lives in floods in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The government of Kerala has requested more military helicopters, boats for the mass evacuation of those stranded in inundated areas.
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) August 17, 2018
The Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Air Force have deployed additional men and choppers in Kerala, apart from the troops and personnel of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) already stationed there, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Friday. More than 3,000 people have been rescued by the armed forces since the start of the operation.
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 12, 2018
— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018
According to official estimates, over 200,000 people have been displaced, and more than 10,000 km of roads and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged across the state.
— amey tirodkar (@ameytirodkar) August 16, 2018
In a fresh statement, authorities said that Kochi Airport, one of the busiest in southern India, would remain shut till August 26.
"Kochi Airport operations are temporarily suspended up to 2:00 p.m. on August 26 due to very high flood situation and key essential facilities like the runway, taxiway, and apron are under the submerged condition," an airport statement said.
Update #OpMadad —
— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) August 17, 2018
Due to heavy rains, several dams including Asia's biggest arch dam Idukki have been opened to release excess water, further worsening the situation. All the shutters of the Idukki dam were opened last week for the first time after a gap of 26 years as water accumulated over the years had reached danger levels.
— Rahul Singh (@rahulreports) August 10, 2018
Many lives are lost each year in India during the monsoon season, but Kerala has not seen such devastating flooding since 1924.
"This is the worst monsoon disaster since 1924," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday.
