Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 67

Ernakulam (Kerala) : As many as 67 people have lost their lives in the havoc created by incessant rains in Kerala.

In what is being touted as the state's worst flood since 1924, the flooding and landslide have resulted in heavy loss of life and property. 

For the first time in the history of the state, it has opened 35 of its 39 dams due to rising water levels.

On Wednesday morning, Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert for eight districts of the state. 

It has predicted heavy to very heavy rains at most places in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and Ernakulam Districts until Thursday.

Earlier today, four teams of National Disaster Rescue Force were airlifted from Pune to Kerala for aiding in rescue operations. The teams have been brought in with full-wave rectified (FWR) equipment and communication equipment.

In the evening Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the phone to inform them about the intensifying flood situations in the State. 

He also visited Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam in Raj Bhavan to update him about the flood situation.