The death toll from 10 days of floods in the Kerala jumped to 324 on Saturday as the south Indian state has been hit with the highest rainfall in a century.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived in Kochi last night to undertake a survey of flood-hit areas. However, due to bad weather, he has cancelled his tour of aerial survey.
Till now, 42 Navy, 16 Army, 28 Coast Guard and 39 National Disaster Relief Force teams were engaged in rescue operations, according to Indian media.
Over 0.30 million people are living in relief camps across the state and a red alert was sounded in all 14 Kerala districts.
All three wings of the armed forces have been pressed into action for a massive rescue operation.
Kerala's government has described the crisis -- one of the worst in decades – as "extremely grave" and rescue operations are underway to help thousands who remain trapped by floodwaters.
Cochin airport will remain shut till August 26.
