Monsoon claimed over a 100 lives in one day in India

• The monsoon floods in India claimed a 100 lives in just one day on Thursday.
• The southern state of Kerala is battling floods, with rescue efforts underway that were able to save 3,000 people in some of the worst affected areas.
  
• There are still others who are stranded in far-flung villages.

Monsoons have been known to claim lives in India before. And this year, in the southern state of Kerala, the monsoon claimed over 100 lives in just one day, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.

This is despite the government initiating rescue operations in collaboration with the army, air force, navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel.

Swollen by heavy rains, the rivers of Periyar and Chalakudy have expanded beyond their banks, cutting off regions from the rest of the state. The Thrissur district, specifically, woke up to find the national highway flooded, with no way for traffic to get through.

The authorities, along with volunteers, were able to rescue nearly 3,000 people in their efforts but what was initially a death toll of 30, ramped up to 106 on Thursday, bringing the overall tally of the monsoon this year to 173 fatalities.

Far-reaching effects of the floods in Kerala

The Defense Ministry is in the throes of assembling fresh teams to send out onto the field, to assist with the relief and rescue operations. Currently, there are over 150,000 people that have been displaced and are seeking shelter in relief camps.

All connectivity in the regions have been halted as well, with trains either cancelled or rescheduled and the Kochi International Airport suspending its operations till August, 26.

While the Periyar river seems to be receding, the Chalakudy river is still flooding much of the Mannuthy-Edapally national highway. Even downstream, where the Cheruthoni dam is located, areas have been put on high alert with the reservoir water levels rising to 2403ft.