Flood toll at 225; relief ops intensify in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra

In Kerala, a red alert has been issued for Malappuram and Kozhikode as extremely heavy rains are expected in central areas of the state

The death toll in flood-affected states mounted to 225 on Tuesday, with 91 perishing since August 8 in Kerala where more rain has been forecast, even as the weather in deluge-hit Karnataka and Maharashtra improved, allowing authorities to speed up rescue and relief operations. Odisha, which is being battered by heavy showers since last week, on Tuesday saw a flood-like situation in parts of the state and the forecast is of more rains in the next two days.

Besides Kerala, 54 have died in Karnataka, 49 in Maharashtra and 31 in Gujarat in floods and related incidents. Two rain-related deaths were