Kerala floods
An aerial view of the flood-hit Kerala, on Aug 16, 2018IANS

The death toll in Kerala, which has been battered by very heavy rains in the last few days, has now crossed 200 and massive relief operations are on in the state. Over 80,000 people have reportedly been moved to safer areas and the Indian Army, the Air Force and Navy personnel, along with the National Disaster Response Force and volunteers have been racing against time to save people. 

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  • Vijayan also requested the PM to send in more helicopters for the rescue operations and Modi has now reportedly asked officials to initiate action 
  • The chief minister has thanked the PM for the help 
  • After the aerial survey, Modi, in a tweet, said that the nation stood with Kerala during such a tough time
  • The prime minister has announced a relief fund of Rs 500 crore to Kerala
  • PM Modi is now conducting an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas.
  • The State Bank of India has made a contribution to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
  • "The State Bank of India (SBI) has donated Rs 2 crore to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) and announced waiver of fees and charges on services offered by the bank in Kerala," it tweeted.
  • Modi is currently chairing a high-level meet with the Indian Army and Navy officials
  • A landslide has been reported in the depot of KSRTC in Kattappana, Idukki. There are no casualties.
  • More help required says Congress leader PC Chacko
  • Kerala floods have made it to international headlines and Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona have expressed solidarity with the residents of the state. 
  • Liverpool and Barcelona have also promised help to those affected.
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  • "We are trying our best to rescue marooned people. Saving lives is our main concern now. Rescue operations are being taken up on a war footing with choppers and boats," Hindustan Times quoted Vijayan as saying.
  • Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that even though thousands have been rescued and moved to relief camps, there are hundreds who still need help. 
  • The President of the United Arab Emirates Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has asked officials to set up a national emergency committee to help flood-hit areas of the state, reported ANI.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Kochi to take stock of the situation. 
  • Between August 8 and 15, Kerala received 3.5 times more rain than normal 
  • The state has received heavy rains, which has caused flooding in several areas and massive landslides.