Troops Help Rescue Stranded In Kerala Floods

The Indian Navy has rushed in to help rescue the many that remain stranded. (Picture: Indian Navy)

India's armed forces are stepping up efforts to rescue those stranded by flooding in the southern state of Kerala, where more than 320 people have died.

Hundreds of troops are helping to move people to safety, in what officials say is the worst flooding there in a century.

Thousands remain stranded - with some believed to be trapped on rooftops of flooded homes.

Heavy rain began hitting parts of the state again on Saturday morning, slowing attempts to deploy rescuers and get relief supplies to isolated areas cut off for days, many of which can only be reached by boat or helicopter.

There are fears the situation may get worse with more heavy rain and strong winds forecast over the weekend.

Nearly 1,000 people have died in total since India's monsoon season began in June.

The Indian Navy has been assisting with rescue efforts:

Officials have said more than 300,000 people have taken shelter in 1,500 state-run relief camps, but authorities and local media outlets said they were being inundated with calls for assistance.

The office of the state's top official, Pinarayi Vijayan, said:

"We are receiving multiple repetitive rescue requests."

Heavy rain since August 8 has triggered floods and landslides and caused homes and bridges to collapse across Kerala, a picturesque state known for its quiet tropical backwaters and beautiful beaches.

Many roads and rail lines have been shut, and one of the state's major airports, in the city of Kochi, has also closed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the state's top officials on Saturday, promising more than £55m in aid.

While the central government has dispatched multiple military units to Kerala, state officials are pleading for additional help.

Officials estimate more than 6,200 miles of roads have been damaged in Kerala, and Mr Vijayan said initial estimates are that the state has suffered losses of nearly £2.2bn.