Indian floods leave thousands of people marooned as more rain is forecast

Officials now fear outbreak of disease in relief camps could kill hundreds more as death toll rises above 350

Volunteers reach out to rescue stranded people in Chengannur, Kerala (AP)

Thousands of Indians are still awaiting rescue in flood hit areas of Kerala – as weather forecasters predict more downpours could be on the way.

The country’s air force and navy are airlifting stranded people from rooftops and trees, while hundreds of government boats and local fishermen have been deployed to aid efforts – but many residents remain marooned.

Officials have estimated as many as 5,000 people may be trapped in a single riverside town, Chengannur, alone.

And there are now fears the disaster could be compounded by an outbreak of disease in squalid relief camps set up to house some 750,000 people left homeless. Three cases of chickenpox have already been detected and isolated at a camp in the town of Aluva, authorities say.

The downpours that began on 8 August triggered floods and landslides across the region that have left more than 350 people dead.

Damage to infrastructure has been estimated at some £2.5bn with entire villages swept away. It has been called the state’s worst flooding in a century.

And although the rain eased over the weekend – with red weather alerts removed – the India Meteorological Department says the deluge may continue on Monday.

As rescue efforts continued, tales of humanity and courage in the face of catastrophe started to emerge.

Journalist Shreya Dhoundial shared a video showing one volunteer kneeling in the water so elderly women could stand on his back to climb into a rescue boat.

“Putting his back into it. Quite literally,” tweeted the CNN anchor. “KeralaFloods the unsung heroes. #Salute”.

A picture of the sheer horror faced by those caught in the waters has also started to unfold.

One resident of Ranni town told The Guardian: “It’s a four-storey house, but water started pouring in fast until it reached the second floor and stayed that way for two days. My relatives shifted to the top floor with all the stuff they immediately needed.

“An airlift came, but my 85-year-old grandmother had never taken a flight in her life and she was afraid to go. So the whole family stayed back. On Friday, rescuers came with motorboats and shifted them to a safe place.”

On Sunday, politician Saji Cherian broke down in tears on TV describing the crisis in his home state. “Please give us a helicopter. I am begging you. Please help me, people in my place will die. Please help us,” he begged.

India’s prime minister Narendra Modi promised a relief fund of 5 billion Indian rupees (£55m) after surveying the situation from a helicopter.