The biggest monsoon to hit the Indian region of Kerala in nearly a century has claimed 167 lives so far, Express news reports.
Forecasters predicted more extreme weather and rain to hit the region, prompting further fears from the state minister of more fatalities with over 60,000 people already displaced by flooding.
Friday morning, several Indian media outlets state 167 people have now perished as a result of the ferocious flooding damaging the region.
Local media reported that 30 more are feared dead from landslides and rivers bursting their banks, destroying dozens of villages in the region.
Helicopters airlifted stranded victims from rooftops and dam gates were opened as torrential downpours let to chaos, in an area that is often popular with travellers and tourists.
An extra 540 army troops were deployed in the area on Thursday., with more due to join the relief effort in the coming days.
Monsoons are common in the region during this time of year – but the current weather has brought the deadliest rain storm the area has seen in nearly 100 years.
Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said the state was facing an “extremely grave” crisis with downpours predicted to last for days.
Mr Vijayan confirmed scores of dams had reached danger levels and appealed to the population not to ignore evacuation orders.
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