NEW DELHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2018) The death toll in heavy rains and floods which have been gripping the southern Indian state of Kerala since last week climbed to 67, while heavy rains are forecast to continue, local media reported on Thursday, citing officials.
According to the Indian Express, the fresh figures were announced by Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, who noted that the natural disaster claimed lives of 25 people only on Wednesday.
The official also said that the heavy rains were expected to continue in the coming days, which would further deteriorate the situation.
Operations at Cochin International Airport, the states largest and busiest air harbor have been suspended till 02:00 p.m. local time [08:30 GMT] on Saturday due to flooding across the territory, the media outlet reported.
Train services have been disrupted, while stretches of many roads have also come under water.
The state declared an unscheduled holiday for all educational institutions, while colleges and universities have postponed exams.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote Thursday on Twitter that he had instructed the Defense Ministry to "further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state."
