Kerala rains: PM Modi discusses flood situation with Chief Minister Vijayan

In wake of severe flood situation in Kerala with the torrential rains so far claiming 67 lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 16 morning spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan to discuss flood situation in the state.

PM also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state.

Pm Modi tweeted “Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala.”

CM Vijayan has also issued a warning that the situation will worsen in the coming days as heavy rains are expected to continue for some time.

Kerala flood updates:

All educational institutions were closed on August 16.

The public transport system collapsed in many parts of central Kerala.

Over 1.5 lakh people have been lodged in relief camps across the state.

The entire state has been on a red alert since August 15 evening. A total of 28 deaths were reported on a single day.

The deaths on August 16 were reported from Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Thrissur.

Thousands of people, including students were trapped in their homes in Ranni, Aranmula, and Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District.

Train operations between Ernakulam and Angamaly have also been stopped and at Thiruvananthapuram railway station tickets are not being issued.

The water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam reached 142 feet mark as rain continues in the state.