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Kerala floods: Troops rush in to help rescue efforts | Kerala floods: Troops rush in to help rescue efforts |
(35 minutes later) | |
India's army is stepping up efforts to rescue thousands of people stranded by flooding across India's southern Kerala state that has killed 324 people. | India's army is stepping up efforts to rescue thousands of people stranded by flooding across India's southern Kerala state that has killed 324 people. |
Hundreds of troops, and dozens of boats and helicopters are helping to evacuate people from what officials say is the worst flooding there in a century. | Hundreds of troops, and dozens of boats and helicopters are helping to evacuate people from what officials say is the worst flooding there in a century. |
Many people are still believed to be trapped on rooftops of flooded homes. | Many people are still believed to be trapped on rooftops of flooded homes. |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier flew over the worst-hit sites and met state officials to discuss the crisis. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier flew over the worst-hit sites and met state officials to discuss the crisis. |
Weeks of heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and floods, with more forecast and a red alert in place. Strong winds are also predicted for Saturday and Sunday. | Weeks of heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides and floods, with more forecast and a red alert in place. Strong winds are also predicted for Saturday and Sunday. |
Across India close to 1,000 people have been killed in the current rainy season, which began in June, officials say. | Across India close to 1,000 people have been killed in the current rainy season, which began in June, officials say. |
How bad is it in Kerala? | How bad is it in Kerala? |
Kerala's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, says the flooding is the worst the state has seen in 100 years. | Kerala's chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, says the flooding is the worst the state has seen in 100 years. |
He told reporters that more than 223,000 people were now living in more than 1,500 emergency relief camps set up in the area. | He told reporters that more than 223,000 people were now living in more than 1,500 emergency relief camps set up in the area. |
There are also fears that many people remain stuck on trees and rooftops - NDTV says the number is in the thousands, but other news sites puts the figure in the hundreds. | There are also fears that many people remain stuck on trees and rooftops - NDTV says the number is in the thousands, but other news sites puts the figure in the hundreds. |
According to The Times of India, at least 10,000 people are stranded in one village alone after all surrounding roads were submerged. | According to The Times of India, at least 10,000 people are stranded in one village alone after all surrounding roads were submerged. |
People who are stuck without electricity and supplies have been resorting to social media to appeal for help and say they have been unable to contact rescue services. | People who are stuck without electricity and supplies have been resorting to social media to appeal for help and say they have been unable to contact rescue services. |
Parts of Kerala's commercial capital, Cochin, are also under water, snarling up roads and leaving railways across the state impassable. | Parts of Kerala's commercial capital, Cochin, are also under water, snarling up roads and leaving railways across the state impassable. |
What is being done? | What is being done? |
Hundreds of troops backed by military helicopters are involved in a huge rescue effort. | Hundreds of troops backed by military helicopters are involved in a huge rescue effort. |
"We are deploying more boats and the army to ramp up rescue operations," state government official PH Kurian told AFP news agency. | "We are deploying more boats and the army to ramp up rescue operations," state government official PH Kurian told AFP news agency. |
The Times of India said 51 navy vessels and 23 military helicopters had been deployed. | The Times of India said 51 navy vessels and 23 military helicopters had been deployed. |
Helicopters have airlifted emergency supplies to many areas and a special train that carries drinking water has been sent to the state. | Helicopters have airlifted emergency supplies to many areas and a special train that carries drinking water has been sent to the state. |
Prime Minister Modi flew to Cochin early on Saturday where he chaired a meeting of officials, before conducting an aerial survey of the worst affected areas. | Prime Minister Modi flew to Cochin early on Saturday where he chaired a meeting of officials, before conducting an aerial survey of the worst affected areas. |
The international airport there is closed because of flooding on the runway. | The international airport there is closed because of flooding on the runway. |
Anil Vasudevan, the head of the Kerala health disaster response wing, has said they are prepared to help victims and are planning for the risk of water-borne diseases when the flooding recedes. | Anil Vasudevan, the head of the Kerala health disaster response wing, has said they are prepared to help victims and are planning for the risk of water-borne diseases when the flooding recedes. |
Why is the situation so bad? | Why is the situation so bad? |
It is normal for Kerala to get some of the country's highest rainfall during monsoon season, but the India Meteorological Department said it had been hit with 37% more than usual because of a spell of low pressure over the region. | It is normal for Kerala to get some of the country's highest rainfall during monsoon season, but the India Meteorological Department said it had been hit with 37% more than usual because of a spell of low pressure over the region. |
Many fear the situation may get worse as further downpours are forecast over the weekend. | Many fear the situation may get worse as further downpours are forecast over the weekend. |
Environmental scientists are also blaming deforestation, especially the failure to protect ecologically fragile mountain ranges in the area, local media report. | Environmental scientists are also blaming deforestation, especially the failure to protect ecologically fragile mountain ranges in the area, local media report. |
Mr Vijayan, the region's chief minister, has said the situation in Kerala has been made worse by neighbouring governments. | Mr Vijayan, the region's chief minister, has said the situation in Kerala has been made worse by neighbouring governments. |
Earlier this week, he and his counterpart in Tamil Nadu had a public spat over the release of water from a dam. | Earlier this week, he and his counterpart in Tamil Nadu had a public spat over the release of water from a dam. |
Kerala has 41 rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea, and 80 of its dams are now said to be open after being overwhelmed. | Kerala has 41 rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea, and 80 of its dams are now said to be open after being overwhelmed. |
"Almost all dams are now opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged. Motors are damaged," Mr Vjayan said. | "Almost all dams are now opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged. Motors are damaged," Mr Vjayan said. |
'Neck-deep water' | 'Neck-deep water' |
BBC Tamil's Pramila Krishnan spoke to people who had escaped the flooding in Cochin. | BBC Tamil's Pramila Krishnan spoke to people who had escaped the flooding in Cochin. |
Krishna Jayan, 58, said she was at home sleeping when her friend woke her up. | Krishna Jayan, 58, said she was at home sleeping when her friend woke her up. |
"I opened the door and water gushed in," she said. "When we stepped into the street, we were neck-deep in water." | "I opened the door and water gushed in," she said. "When we stepped into the street, we were neck-deep in water." |
She said locals had tied ropes along the streets to help people walk through the water, allowing her and her friend to reach a bus to escape. | She said locals had tied ropes along the streets to help people walk through the water, allowing her and her friend to reach a bus to escape. |
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