As Kerala continues to reel under heavy flooding and rains, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in a press meet on Thursday night that they need more help to rebuild the state.

2500 people were rescued from Ernakulam and 580 people from Pathanamthitta were rescued on Thursday. Rescue operations are still underway as hundreds continue to be stranded in the state.

Efforts towards rescue have been increased with a total of 23 helicopters in operation from Friday. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts will have three choppers each to undertake rescue and relief operations. More boats have also been deployed with fishermen, private players as well as neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu sending boats.

The official death toll presently stands at 164 from August 8 when the heavy rainfall started. Shutters of 35 dams in the state continue to be open as water is being released downstream.

40 more NDRF teams are going to deployed in Kerala. While heavy rains are predicted for Friday as well, Kerala is expected to have some respite as heavy rains abate from Sunday onward.

Meanwhile several people in Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities have come together to volunteer and send relief materials to relief camps in Kerala.

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