Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 73 across the state.  Five persons were killed in a landslide in Palakkad district of Kerala today even as torrential rains led to the collapse of the public transport system in many parts of the state with the southern railways and the Kochi Metro suspending operations.


Palakkad district police sources said the five persons were killed in Nenmara while two were rescued, taking the death toll to 73 in the current phase of the monsoon fury.


Reports of a landslide have also come in from Thrissur district and some people are said to be missing, the sources said. Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, have severely affected lives of people in downstream areas.


Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan once again called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him of the flood situation in the state.


The state has also sought the services of additional Army personnel and helicopters and the prime minister has assured all help, Vijayan said. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state. Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state. Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala. @CMOKerala," the prime minister tweeted.


The chief minister also called up Home Minister Rajnath Singh and spoke to him about the flood situation and sought more central help for relief and rescue operations.


Floods continue to ravage most parts of Kerala, especially Pathanamthitta, Ernakukam and Alappuzha districts, where several people, including children and elderly, are trapped in their houses. -- PTI


Image: A helicopter hovers above a house in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. The armed forces have rescued hundreds stranded in the flood-hit state.