Kerala Floods LIVE Updates: Kochi Airport Closed till August 26, Rescue Operations Scaled Up As State Goes Under

Naval authorities announce that a total of 132 people have been rescued by air lift from Aluva and Perumbavoor, this includes 46 persons from Pathanamthitta also. All helicopters air borne, and ALH and Chetak of the navy, from INS Garuda, are doing continuous sorties.

Due to severe weather conditions in Kerala, IndiGo has issued the following statement regarding their flights in the affected regions: "This is to notify our passengers and local partners in Kerala, that due to severe weather conditions Cochin Airport will be shut for flight operations till August 26, 2018. Flights operating to and from Cochin stands cancelled for now. In the meanwhile, IndiGo will operate additional flights from Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Trivandrum effective August 17, 2018. IndiGo will ensure to provide cancellation and rescheduling waiver to passengers booked to travel from August 16 to August 26,2018. We also liaising with local partners to transport relief material for affected people."

Many Keralites have been angry after the central government announced a Rs 100 crore relief package for the state, even though the Pinarayi Viajayan government in Kerala has asked for 1220 crores.

Watch the Indian Air Force in action, rescuing people stranded by the incessant flooding in Kerala.

#KeralaFloods -- Rescue operations being conducted by Coast Guard helicopters in different parts of the state.

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/0QurorwizE pic.twitter.com/h3fanBRPsR

— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 16, 2018

Check out this info-graphic to see a composite picture of what's happening on the ground in Kerala, which is facing the worst floods it's experienced in nearly a century.

WATCH: Video recording of rescue operations held by Coast Guard helicopters over Ernakulam, earlier today. 132 people have been rescued from Thrissur, Aluva and Perumbavoor by Coast Guard helicopters today

#WATCH: Rescue operations held by Coast Guard helicopters over Ernakulam, earlier today. 132 people have been rescued from Thrissur, Aluva & Perumbavoor by Coast Guard helicopters today. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/JqJ0dsbSPs

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

45 persons stranded due to incessant rains were rescued from Machilipatnam by three teams of Indian Navy deployed at Perumbavoor, yesterday.

Kerala: 45 persons stranded due to incessant rains were rescued from Machilipatnam by three teams of Indian Navy deployed at Perumbavoor, yesterday. #KeralaFloods

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

In connection with worsening floods, Supreme Court asks authorized high power committee to convene a meeting by tomorrow morning in connection with the rising water level in Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala.

Supreme Court asks the high power committee to convene a meeting by tomorrow morning in connection with the rising water level in Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala. #KeralaFloods

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Kerala is drowning and it needs your immediate attention. Incessant rains and landslides have been wreaking havoc in the state, claiming several lives, with the death toll rising to 73.

Supreme Court directs meeting of sub-committee under Section 9 of Disaster Management Act to meet with Kerala and Tamil Nadu authorities on management of Mullaperiyar reservoir water, directs to try and maintain water level at 139 feet.

The Civil Aviation Ministry acceded to the state's request to utilise other airports in Kerala, instead of diverting the flights to Mumbai and other places.

Sanjay Kumar, DG, NDRF: We have deployed teams in 7 districts. 14 teams are already there and today we are sending another 12 teams &and if required more teams will be sent. We are working for rescue, evacuation and relief in coordination with the state authorities.

We have deployed teams in 7 districts. 14 teams are already there and today we are sending another 12 teams & if required more teams will be sent. We are working for rescue, evacuation and relief in coordination with the state authorities: Sanjay Kumar, DG NDRF #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/VoTyptz641

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Supreme Court agrees to urgently hear today itself petition for disaster management plan and monitoring of Mullapperiyar Dam water level. Petition currently being heard by bench. Advocate Manoj George appearing for the petitioner, a resident of Idukki district, who raised alarm over rising water level in Dam necessitating urgent steps by Tamil Nadu to release water.

Actor John Abraham says he is extremely disturbed by what is happening in Kerala, where heavy rains have led to flooding of several districts.

Thomas Isaac, Finance Minister of Kerala, tweets that the flood situation in Kerala is worsening. Mass evacuations starts from many flooded areas including Kuttanad. Rescue operations to save stranded people continuing in full swing. So far The death toll crosses 250. Destroyed or damaged houses may cross 1 lakh.

The flood situation in Kerala worsening. Mass evacuations starts from many flooded areas including Kuttanad. Rescue operations to save stranded people continuing in full swing. So far The death toll crosses 250.Destroyed or damaged houses may cross 1 lakh.

— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) August 16, 2018

Realising how Kerala has come to a halt, citizens have stepped up to provide any assistance to keep the state afloat and moving. Here are the toll-free emergency numbers.

#KeralaFloods -- As Kerala reels under severe floods, let's join hands to #SaveKerala. Here are the toll-free emergency numbers.

Follow LIVE UPDATES here! https://t.co/OI2ynoKyiW pic.twitter.com/ZgSpOwmmMh

— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 16, 2018

12 more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - 6 from Delhi and 6 from Gandhinagar - are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 18 teams are already deployed in the state.

12 more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - 6 from Delhi and 6 from Gandhinagar - are being airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 18 teams are already deployed in the state. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/uCcm8TTAlg

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

While rescue operations are on across the state, Kerala CM Pirayai Vijayan on Thursday announced that the water level is likely to increase.

Rahul Gandhi spoke to PM Modi and requested him to massively increase deployment of the Army & Navy. He also said that it is critical that the center gives the state special financial assistance as this is a tragedy without parallel in Kerala’s history.

Kerala is in great pain. I spoke to PM and requested him to massively increase deployment of the Army & Navy. I also said that it is critical that he gives the state special financial assistance as this is a tragedy without parallel in Kerala’s history. #IndiaStandsWithKerala

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2018

Kerala CM announces that people who have been rescued from Pathanamthitta and evacuated to Thiruvananthapuram have been accommodated at Chala Boys High School, Thiruvananthapuram.

People who have been rescued from Pathanamthitta and evacuated to Thiruvananthapuram have been accommodated at Chala Boys High School, Thiruvananthapuram. pic.twitter.com/I2pCLigMJt

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018

35 deaths have been reported today, with 11 in Idukki, 8 in Palakkad, 2 in Malappuram, 4 in Kozhikode, 4 in Kottayam, 5 in Thrissur and 1 in Kannur.

Very serious situation is prevailing in the state as nearly all villages are flood affected. I had a telephonic conversation with PM, HM and Defence minister, they have offered all support. More helicopters to be deployed soon: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/nFkLVNDSe6

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

It has been reported that more Army teams to be deployed from Trivandrum cantonment to help in rescue and relief operations across the state. (In image: The situation in Kozhikode)

Kerala Chief Minster: Situation is grave. Most villages have been affected. Water level is likely to rise further. People on banks of Periyar, Chalakkudy rivers need to be vigilant. One meter water to rise in Periyar and Chalakkudy. People in Aluva requested to evacuate to 500 meters away from banks.

12 districts in Kerala are severely affected. These are the worse floods since 1924. I met PM, Home Minister & Defence Minister yesterday. Army, Navy, IAF, Coast Guard & NDRF are conducting rescue and relief operations. It is predicted that water levels will further rise: Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons

12 districts in #Kerala are severely affected. These are the worse floods since 1924. I met PM, Home Minister & Def Minister y'day. Army, Navy, IAF, Coast Guard & NDRF are conducting rescue&relief ops. It is predicted that water levels will rise: Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons pic.twitter.com/Ofw6d2WJ43

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Arvind Kejriwal came out at his residence to meet supporters and urged them not to celebrate his birthday this year owing to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's critical health and the floods in Kerala. He also urged them to donate generously to help those in need in Kerala.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducts rescue operation in Thrissur district's Arattupuzha village.

#KeralaFloods : Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducts rescue operation in Thrissur district's Arattupuzha village pic.twitter.com/NXFkgpf8CO

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Higher secondary, vocational higher secondary, first year improvement, and supplementary exams scheduled for Friday, August 17, have been postponed. Revised dates will be announced later - Secretary, Board of Higher Secondary Examinations

Sajeesh, given a job by the CPI(M)-led Kerala government after Lini's death, handed over the amount to the Kerala labour and excise minister TP Ramakrishnan.

Indian Air Force airlifts a person in flood affected Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Stranded people are advised to stand in open areas on top of buildings and houses to avoid possible hindrances by trees. 

#WATCH Indian Air Force airlifts a person in flood affected Pathanamthitta district of Kerala pic.twitter.com/DvOY7tS740

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) also suspended its operations this morning after its yard in Muttom near Aluva submerged in the flood waters.