Kerala floods LIVE: UAE offers Rs 7 bn; train services partially restored

Kerala floods: The situation in the flood-ravaged state was gradually improving, even as some rainfall was forecast for the coastal state from Monday onwards. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, “heavy rainfall” is expected only in Kozhikode, Kannur and Idduki districts over the next four days. However, even as water recedes from major areas, authorities are gearing up to deal with the possible outbreak of water-borne and air-borne diseases.

Commercial flight operations from the Naval airport at Kochi commenced today with the first Air India flight from Bengaluru arriving this morning. It is after 18 years that civilian flights are landing and taking off from the naval airport.

The Indian Railways said that two special trains will be run on Monday from Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam to Kolkata and that the train services are expected to be restored on all lines in Kerala by Monday evening. The Railways would also provide blankets and bedsheets to the affected people in Kerala.

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Over 100 killed in Kerala floods in just one day; death toll touches 173

Kerela Flood Relief - More than 100 people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala in just one day on Thursday, sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said, even as defence forces scaled up operations this morning to rescue those stranded in the worst-hit areas.

The toll for Thursday, initially put at 30, has now been revised to 106, the sources said, which takes the overall fatalities to 173 since the second spell of monsoon fury unleashed itself on August 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kerala on Friday evening after the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Thursday said 23 more helicopters will join the rescue operations on Friday and 200 additional boats will also be pressed into service.

Around 3,000 people were rescued from Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts on Thursday.

Several people are stranded in buildings in various districts. Many of them, including children, were rescued from various waterlogged areas.