Modi to visit flood-hit Kerala today, speaks to CM Vijayan

New Delhi, Aug 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala this evening to take stock of the flood situation in the flood-hit state. He tweeted that he would be reaching the state later this evening "to take stock of the unfortunate situation due to floods there."

PM Modi's tweet

The prime minister spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan this morning. "We discussed the flood situation across the state and reviewed rescue operations," Modi, who has been in touch with Vijayan for the last two days, said.

Idduki Dam

Torrential rain and floods have played havoc in Kerala, claiming the lives of nearly 100 people.

Heavy rainfall worsened the Kerala flood situation today, leading to the collapse of the public transport system in many parts of the state. The Southern Railways and Kochi Metro have suspended operations, even as the Kochi airport remained shut. The total death toll in Kerala floods now stands at 114 with lakhs of people still marooned. All educational institutions are closed.

An aeriel view of the floods in Aluva

The Kerala government has sounded a red alert in 14 districts of the state and opened 35 dams in the state. The Mullaperiyar Dam, bordering Tamil Nadu, is overflowing but the neighbouring state has agreed to draw water from the reservoir.

Floods wreak havoc in Wayanad

Pathanamthitta district in central Kerala continued to be the worst affected in the last 24 hours as thousands of people are trapped in their homes in the towns of Ranni, Aranmula and Kozhencherry.

With rains still pouring down heavily leading to flooding across Kerala, 20 fresh deaths were reported on Thursday, taking the toll to 87, since August 8. Meanwhile, the operations at Cochin International Airport have been suspended till Saturday 2 pm after flood water submerged the runway.

OneIndia News with PTI inputs