Over 100 killed in Kerala floods in just one day; death toll touches 173
More than 100 people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala in just one day on Thursday, sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said, even as defence forces scaled up operations this morning to rescue those stranded in the worst-hit areas. The toll for Thursday, initially put at 30, has now been revised to 106, the sources said, which takes the overall fatalities to 173 since the second spell of monsoon fury unleashed itself on August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kerala on Friday evening after the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Saturday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Thursday said 23 more helicopters will join the rescue operations on Friday and 200 additional boats will also be pressed into service. Around 3,000 people were rescued from Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts on Thursday. Several people are stranded i