Video: Death toll in Kerala floods escalates to 167

The death toll in Keralahas risen to 167 on Friday as flood crisis worsens in the state, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The state has also incurred a loss of over Rs 8,000 croredue to theincessant rainfall.

Unabated rains and rising level of flood water have prompted authorities to open floodgates of as many as 33 dams and reservoirs across the state.

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A red alert was issued today morningin all 13 districts of Kerala except Kasaragod.

The increase in the number of death was seen even as defence forces scaled up operations to rescue those stranded in worst-hit areas.

Twelve additional teams of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 540 personnel were also rushed to Kerala.

The Indian Coast Guard has so far rescued 1,764 people and moved 4,688 people to safer locations. Twenty four teams of the Indian Coast Guard has been deployed in the region for rescueoperations.

The Supreme Court on Thursday described Kerala's flood situation as "grave" anddirecteda high power committee to convene a meeting by Friday on the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar dam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the flood-pronearea today evening to discuss the flood situation with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The PM said that he held a telephonic conversation with Kerala chief minister wherein he discussed the prevailing situation in the state and also the steps to reviewrescue operations.

The chief minister had earlier described the ongoing flood fury in Kerala as something that had never happened in the history of the state wherein "almost all dams have been opened".

Over 25 trains were either cancelled or rescheduled in Kerala. Kochi Metro operations have not been affected so far, sources said.

The operations at the Kochi International Airport will remain suspended till August 26, with runways being flooded.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had yesterday said 23 more helicopters will join the rescue operations today and 200 additional boats will also be pressed into service.

(With inputs from agencies)