Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 94

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], Aug 16 (ANI): The death toll in Kerala flood has increased to 94, leaving 41 injured.
11 people missing, and almost 1,65,538 people are residing in 1155 relief camps due to the natural disaster.
The floods which wrecked 2857 houses, also damaged 3393 hectares of crop.
The Centre has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the state owing to the flood situation which is worsening by the day.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been asked to mobilise additional manpower, boats and helicopters to scale up the rescue and relief operations. Food packets and drinking water are also being rushed.
Twelve more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - six from Delhi and six from Gandhinagar - are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 18 teams are already deployed in the state.
Earlier today, NDRF teams evacuated 926 persons to a safer place at Pathamithitta, Kozzhikode, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha. Army also built a 35-feet long bridge and rescued around 100 people including children and senior citizens from Malampuzha's Valiyakadu village.
The Indian Coast Guard has also mobilised 10 teams to assist District Disaster Management Authority in evacuating people from the flood-affected areas.
The Coast Guard relief teams have been placed at Patanamthitta, Munanbam, Aranmula, Idukki, Ferok-Calicut, and Allepy respectively whereas two relief teams each have been dispatched for Aluva and Chengannur. The teams are equipped with Gemini Boats for evacuating the stranded people especially women, children and senior citizens.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister to discuss flood situation in the state.
Prime Minister Modi had also asked the Defence Ministry to step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. (ANI)