FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Hundreds of army troops have been working an operation to rescue families trapped by mounting floodwaters in the Indian state of Kerala on Thursday, with all three sections of the national army and further aid workers battling against the mounting rainwaters. All 14 of the state’s internal districts are on “red alert” as the heavy rain is predicted to last for several more days. On Wednesday, the flooding had already claimed 65 lives, with authorities fearing more rain will hit the region and cause further displacement and death. Authorities confirmed that a further 21 people had died on Thursday, bringing the death toll up to 86 people.

Kerala flood: Water levels have risen so high that whole towns are submerged leaving 167 people dead

But on Friday morning, several Indian media outlets state 167 people have now perished as a result of the ferocious flooding damaging the region. Local media reported that 30 more are feared dead from landslides and rivers bursting their banks, destroying dozens of villages in the region. Helicopters airlifted stranded victims from rooftops and dam gates were opened as torrential downpours let to chaos, in an area that is often popular with travellers and tourists. An extra 540 army troops were deployed in the area on Thursday., with more due to join the relief effort in the coming days.

Kerala flood map: A map shows how the monsoon has advanced this season

Over 80 dams are at danger point of bursting in the submerged state, which is famous for its tea plantations and picturesque beaches. Monsoons are common in the region during this time of year – but the current weather has brought the deadliest rain storm the area has seen in nearly 100 years. Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said the state was facing an “extremely grave” crisis with downpours predicted to last for days. Mr Vijayan confirmed scores of dams had reached danger levels and appealed to the population not to ignore evacuation orders.

Kerala flood: A three sections of the armed forces are rescuing people from the dangerous floods

The Kerala CMO posted on Twitter: "Abstain from spreading misinformation on whatsapp & social media networks. Many rumours & fake news are surfacing. Listen for official announcements. “Follow the CMO handles in Twitter & FB; FB pages of Ministers, District Collectors, Kerala Police & Fire force." Meanwhile, Kerala’s main international airport, in Kochi, is closed until August 26. At least eight people were killed when an irrigation dam burst and a landslide hit three houses in the town of Nenmara, Palakkad district, authorities said.

Army and coastguard helicopters, lifeboats and navy diving teams have been brought to the stricken state. A state disaster management official told AFP: “At least 6,500 people are stranded in different parts of Kerala and the situation in three districts is particularly grim.” And 10,000km (6,000 miles) of roads have been destroyed or damaged while hundreds of homes have been lost to the flooding. The Kerala government ordered the opening of 34 dam gates and reservoirs where water levels reached dangerously high levels.