More than 157 killed in mass floods across several states in India

Several states have been battling floods for weeks now. More than 157 lives have been claimed in seven states across the country.

In Karnataka, the situation still remains grim as the death toll has reached 40 people. In addition Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Karnataka like Belgaum and conducted meetings with senior officials to review the situation:

Karnataka Floods: 31 Dead, Over 3 Lakh Evacuated; Amit Shah, CM Yediyurappa Conduct Aerial Survey

Here's a detailed update about the rescue and relief operations in Karnataka:

Over 200 personnel from the armed forces have been deployed across several states. In addition, all possible assets have been brought in for swift operations:

The state disaster monitoring centre has also said that 5, 81,702 people have been evacuated from the flood-hit areas. On Saturday, Chief Minister Yediyurappa had announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to next of kin of the deceased. Meanwhile, all schools and colleges- government and private -- in affected flood-hit districts are to remain closed till August 15. 

Here's a detailed update on Maharashtra relief and rescue operation

Kolhapur and Sangli districts have been battling unprecedented floods since the last eight days following heavy rains in Konkan and western parts of the state where 40 people have lost their lives in the deluge. 

In Maharashtra, over 5 lakh people have been rescued so far by the 105 teams engaged in rescue and relief operations. Multiple agencies like NDRF, Indian Army and Indian Navy are engaged in these operations:

Rescue teams in Western Maharashtra are using all means at their disposal. In Kolhapur's Narasoba Wadi Village, teams deployed teams of doctors with first aid kits. They also enabled HAM radios and drones for aerial surveys and communication. Over 226 boats have been utilized so far:

Water has started receding in Maharashtra's flood-hit Kolhapur district and the Mumbai-Bengaluru national highway, which has been closed due to water-logging for last six days, is likely to open on Monday, officials said. Continuous discharge of water from Almatti dam in Karnataka brought down the water level of the Panchganga river in Kolhapur where it was flowing above the danger mark. According to information available at the district​​​​​​​ collectorate, the Panchganga river's water level came down by almost one foot overnight, but it was still flowing at the danger mark of 49 feet.

Flood situation in Kerala

Meanwhile, floods have also engulfed Kerala. Food packets were dropped in by the Southern Air Command troops in affected areas:

Maharashtra Floods: Ham Radios And Drones Brought In To Assist Rescue Operations

As per reports, the Kerala floods have claimed 72 lives so far. Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday visited a relief camp at Boodanam Church in Nilambur, Malappuram in Kerala and reviewed relief measures in the flood-ravaged district. Gandhi, who is a Member of Parliament (MP) from Wayanad, interacted with the flood victims with the help of local leaders. As many as 11 people have died in the district alone due to floods. 

"For the next few days, I will be based in my Lok Sabha constituency, Wayanad that has been ravaged by floods. I will be visiting relief camps across Wayanad and reviewing relief measures with District and State officials," Gandhi tweeted, earlier in the day. 

Operations at Cochin International Airport, which were suspended following heavy rains, resumed on Sunday.Rescue operations are underway by the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), Army and the local police. 

(With Agency Inputs)