Flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains in Kerala has killed at least 73 people, shut down an airport and displaced more than 85,000 people, according to officials in the region in southern India.
Many of those who died are believed to have been crushed under debris caused by landslides.
In dramatic footage coming out of the region, water is seen gushing down the streets in Kozhikode, Kerala, cutting off road links and submerging several villages
India’s Metrological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in the state until Saturday and has issued a “red alert” for 12 out of its 14 districts.
11.13am update: This level of flash flooding has never been seen before in Kerala
“We’re witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters.
“Almost all dams are now opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged, motors are damaged.”
11.08am update: Water building up in dams and reservoirs has been released – causing even more floods
Heavy rains forced state authorities to release excess water from dozens of reservoirs, causing floods downstream.
The flooding has submerged vast areas in 12 out of 14 districts in the state.
While the failure of the state government of neighbouring Tamil Nadu to release water from a dam had made the situation worse, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
But aid efforts are being hampered by the worsening conditions.
Krishna Kumar, a relief official, said there will be no immediate respite for thousands of people in state-run relief camps with more rain and winds forecast until Saturday.
11.00am update: Tourists being told to stay away
Authorities asked tourists to stay away from the popular hill station of Munnar in Iddukki district because of flooding.
People have also been asked to avoid the Sabarimala hill shrine, as water levels in the nearby rain-fed Pampa River continue to rise.
The Cochin International Airport, one of India’s busiest, has also been shut until August 18 due to a flooded runway.
10.53am update: Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, issued an update on the floods
Posting on Twitter, he said: “Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan again this morning. We discussed the flood situation in the state.
“Have asked Defence Ministry to further step up the rescue and relief operations across the state.
“Praying for the safety and well-being of the people of Kerala.”
10.45am update: Is India prone to monsoon rains?
Monsoon rains, which typically occur from June to September, kill hundreds of people each year in India, often due to landslides and rivers or dams bursting their banks.
Kerala, in southern India, is famous for its coastline and picturesque backwaters and is a major destination for Indian and international tourists.
The state last saw such devastating flooding in 1924.