Indian flood kills 164 people, displaces 223,000

Abiodun Oba |

164 people have been recorded killed with more than 200,000 forced into relief camps by what can be described as India’s worst floods officials said on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was due to visit the southwest state later on Friday as its chief minister said he was hoping the military could step up help for the rescue effort which is already using dozens of helicopters and hundreds of boats.

“I spoke to the defense minister this morning and asked for more helicopters,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told a news conference in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, adding that he planned to send 11 more helicopters to worst-hit places.

“In some areas, airlifting is the only option … thousands are still marooned.”

The floods began nine days ago and Vijayan said 164 people had been killed – some in landslides – with about 223,000 people forced into 1,568 relief camps.

Kerala is a major destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

The airport in the main commercial city of Kochi has been flooded and operations suspended until August 26 with flights being diverted to two other airports in the state.

The office of the chief minister said heavy rain was falling in some places on Friday.

More showers are expected over the weekend.