More than 100 people were killed in different rain-related incidents over the last 48 hours.

A massive operation to rescue thousands of marooned citizens in three flood-hit districts in Kerala commenced at daybreak on Friday.

Volunteers from far and near joined hands with personnel from the armed forces, National Disaster Response Force and State government agencies to reach food to stranded communities and rescue them in boats. As many as 23 helicopters of the Air Force and Navy and boats were also pressed into service from early morning.

The breakdown of communication services and power lines hampered efforts to locate and zero-in on people in the worst affected areas.

More than 100 people were killed in different rain-related incidents over the last 48 hours.

Though the water level in the Periyar river started receding, gated communities in several parts of Aluva and Kalady were stuck without food and water. The rescue operations in Ernakulam district were led by Rajamanikyam, special officer appointed by the government. Additional teams of the NDRF were sent to Aluva.

The situation in Thrissur district however worsened overnight, with the Chalakudy river, swollen by heavy rains in the upstream areas and the release of waters from dams, breaching its banks. Residents in most parts of Chalakudy town woke up to find themselves cut off from the rest of the State. The Paliyekkara toll plaza was flooded and traffic along the Mannuthy-Edapally national highway came to a halt.

Rescue efforts were underway in Pathanamthitta also.

With the strong currents in the Periyar and Chalakudy rivers making it difficult to operate boats, rescue teams sought the help of helicopters to drop food supplies and airlift flood victims to safety.

Residents in the downstream areas of the Cheruthoni dam were put on high alert after the water level in the Idukki rervoir neared the 2403 ft mark on Friday morning.