Kerala Flood Death Toll Rises to 20 as Rescue Operations Continue

NEW DELHI, Aug 4: The death toll from severe flooding in India's southern state of Kerala has risen to 20, as authorities continue rescue and relief operations in rain-affected areas, state-run Doordarshan News reported on Tuesday.

Around 11,500 people have been moved to relief camps across the state as heavy monsoon rains triggered floods, causing widespread disruption and damage.

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan visited several disaster relief camps in areas affected by the heavy rains and assured residents that the government was working to support those impacted.

“We will overcome this together,” Satheesan said in a post on social media platform X.

In another message, the chief minister warned against spreading misinformation during the crisis, saying strict legal action would be taken against those circulating fake news on social media and creating unnecessary panic among the public.

India receives heavy monsoon rainfall every year between June and September, with the seasonal rains frequently causing floods, landslides and significant damage to property and infrastructure, particularly in southern and coastal states.