Kerala floods: Modi begins aerial survey along with CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Death toll rises to 324

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took off in a helicopter from here to survey the massive loss and destruction triggered by the torrential rains in Kerala.

Overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have resulted in the death of 180 people as of Saturday morning, with over 300,000 others forced to move to some 2,000 relief camps.

Modi, who arrived here from the state capital, is being accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, State Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekheran and other top state officials.

His visit comes at a time when the Congress-led opposition has been demanding immediate deployment of the Army since the state government has been unable to deal with the crisis.

Before returning to Delhi from Kochi later on Saturday, the Prime Minister will chair a meeting to discuss the situation.

Rains subsided on Saturday morning resulting in the water level in Idukki and parts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts coming down.

But on Friday night, airlifting could not take place in Chengannur as the incessant rains continued in the region.