Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had embarked on an aerial survey of flood-hit Kochi on Saturday morning, has aborted his journey after heavy rains lashed Kochi naval base. Kerala is witnessing one of the most savage monsoon in over a century.

The Prime Minister was to undertake aerial survey of flood hit areas across Kerala and mainly of areas situated in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, which are the worst affected so far.





However, the survey was called off after the rains resumed.

According to reports, the PM may declare the floods as a “national calamity”.

Floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in Kerala this monsoon have claimed at least 324 lives in the last nine days. The situation in the state is turning grim with every passing hour.

The Prime Minister arrived at Kerala on Friday evening.

The state is witnessing one of the harshest monsoons with over 2 lakh people being displaced since August 8.

Till now, 42 Navy, 16 Army, 28 Coast Guard and 39 National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams were engaged in rescue operations. Another 14 NDRF teams are expected to reach shortly.

Last Sunday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had undertaken and aerial survey of the flood-ravaged state and the centre had extended a Rs 100 crore package.

Thousands of people are still perched on trees and rooftops, waiting to be rescued.

Here are the LIVE updates from Kerala:

09:49 am: In video: Rapid Action Force (RAF) personeel distribute relief materials to stranded people in flood affected Palakkad's Mangalam Dam village.





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#WATCH: Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel distribute relief material to stranded people in flood affected Palakkad's Mangalam Dam village. #KeralaFloods

9:47 AM - Aug 18, 2018
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09:35 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing a meeting in Kochi with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister KJ Alphons and other officials.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewing the flood situation in Kerala at a high-level meeting. (Photo: Twitter | @PMOIndia)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewing the flood situation in Kerala at a high-level meeting. (Photo: Twitter | @PMOIndia)



09:25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aerial survey of flood affected Kochi called-off due to bad weather: reports.

08:49 am: United Arab Emirates(UAE) to form a committee to help flood-hit areas of Kerala. President of UAE Sheikh Khalifa has instructed formation of a national emergency committee to provide assistance to the people affected in Kerala.

08:19 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Kochi.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kochi, where he will take stock of flood situation. (Photo: Twitter | @PMOIndia)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Kochi, where he will take stock of flood situation. (Photo: Twitter | @PMOIndia)



07:45 am: Here's how you can donate to the Kerala Chief Minister Distress relief fund. Details below:

NO: 67319948232

Bank: State Bank of India

IFSC : SBIN0070028

SWIFT CODE : SBININBBT08

Also Read: Here’s Kerala floods helpline, emergency contacts, ways to donate for the affected

07:43 am: In video: Navy delivers relief material to stranded people in flooded areas of Kochi.





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#WATCH Navy delivers relief material to stranded people in a flooded area of Kochi. #Keralafloods

7:43 AM - Aug 18, 2018
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07:30 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Thiruvananthapuram for an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Kochi.

07:25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his way to Kochi.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Thiruvananthapuram for an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Kochi. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Thiruvananthapuram for an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Kochi. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)



07:00 am: Telecom operators had announced free calls and data, extension in bill payment due dates and other relief measures for subscribers in Kerala. "To help you stay in touch with your loved ones and remain connected, we are extending a complimentary 7 days unlimited voice & data pack to you," Jio said in a message sent to customers.

With the murderous monsoon claiming 106 lives on a single day on Thursday, the state plunged deeper into misery today with hospitals facing a shortage of oxygen and fuel stations running dry, officials said.

The deadliest deluge in close to a century has dealt a body blow to the scenic state, wrecking its tourism industry, destroying standing crops in thousands of hectares and inflicting huge damage to infrastructure.