The death toll in the Kerala floods has crossed 200 in the past 10 days, and to 344 overall this monsoon season, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, calling it a 'grave' situation. The Navy has been providing relief material to people in Kochi and other parts of Kerala in helicopters. Chengannur has been cut off for four days. State food minister P Thilothaman, who has been camping at Chengannur, told the media: “The need of the hour is that people require food packets and drinking water. About 15 small boats of the Navy are expected to join rescue and relief work. But, after dusk, no rescues are possible. Helicopters are also needed for faster evacuation.”
