Thiruvananthapuram, August 9: Incessant rains and heavy shower continue to lash Kerala, causing waterlogging, rising water levels and flood-like situation in various parts of the state as fresh visuals emerge showing the lives of people getting disrupted due to floods. Traffic and public services have also been adversely affected  due to heavy rainfall.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tweeted saying that "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan & discussed the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the state. Offered all possible assistance to those affected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in the wake of this calamity," said the Prime Minister in his tweet.

As per the latest update, Army has been deployed in three columns of approximate strength of 75 persons each at Ayannkulu, Idukki and Wayanad. Two additional columns have been requisitioned and are moving to Kozikode and Malappuram. Three Engineer Task Force to be deployed soon, said an ANI report.

The deadly rains have claimed "22 lives in Kerala so far in flooding and landslides following heavy and incessant rains," reported news agency ANI. Check the visuals below:

"All passenger carrying trains on Kanjikode-Walayar stretch in the Palakkad-Podanur section are likely to be regulated by 30 minutes to 60 minutes," reported news agency ANI. The report also mentioned that freight trains will be delayed and that repair work of the damaged track is expected to be completed by Thursday.

"Heavy rain & subsequent water flow damaged a section of the track (B-line) between Kanjikode and Walayar, yesterday. Train services have been temporarily suspended on this line. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) & other divisional officers inspected the site immediately," according to news agency ANI.

Watch the video of Kerala Fire & Rescue Department personnel, rescuing people from low-lying residential areas using boats as rain water enters houses in Pathalam, Ernakulam":

Watch the dramatic video of the road cave-in Kerala's Malappuram, due to the the incessant rainfall and floods:

"Kerala state electricity board has issued third red alert in Idukki reservoir. The dam will be opened tomorrow (Friday) morning to maintain the water level. At 4 pm today (Thursday), the water level was 2399.56 ft," reported news agency ANI.

Southern Naval Command has sent four diving teams and one Sea King helicopter to Wayanad for evacuating stranded people. See the pictures below:

Union Minister KJ Alphons, on Thursday, said that "There has been unprecedented floods in Kerala since y'day & incessant rains for 2 weeks. It is the biggest rain we had in 50 years.22 people died.Armed forces to fly to Kerala immediately,6 central rescue teams already there. All the dams opened (sic)."

Life has come to a standstill in many parts of Kerala, due to waterlogging and floods in the low lying areas. The Idukki dam gates have been opened in the state after 26 years, to release the excess water generated due to heavy rainfall. According to reports, Kochi airport had suspended services and flight operations temporarily, following heavy rainfall. The services at airport have been restored, according to the latest updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2018 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).