Death toll from Kerala floods rises to 26

AFP

At least 26 people have been killed in landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains in Kerala, with many still reported missing. 

Visuals shared on social media show houses being swept away in the district of Kottayam.

Rescue efforts have been intensified with the Indian Navy and Air Force stepping in, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

In a Tweet, Modi confirmed that "authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected". 

So far, thousands of people have been evacuated and at least 100 relief camps have been set up.

Rain intensity in most parts of Kerala has eased, with no new reports of flooding so far.

More from International News

  • US immigration agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis

    A US immigration agent has shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday during an immigration enforcement surge, according to local and federal officials, the latest violence in President Donald Trump's nationwide crackdown on migrants.

  • Israel strikes Gaza launch site after failed rocket fire

    Israel's military said on Thursday it had carried out a targeted strike on a rocket launch site near Gaza City after identifying a failed launch, as questions mount over when the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire will begin.

  • Russia frees French researcher in prisoner exchange

    Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year prison sentence in Russia for violating Moscow's foreign agent laws, has been freed as part of a prisoner exchange, French and Russian officials said on Thursday.

  • US seizes another tanker tied to Venezuela as Trump widens oil push

    The US has seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.

Blogs