India flood toll jumps to 106, nearly 150,000 homeless

A total of 1,331 camps have been opened across Kerala state in which 147,000 people have already moved in

KOCHI: The death toll from major floods in India's tourist hotspot Kerala has jumped to 106, officials said Thursday, with nearly 150,000 people left homeless by rising waters across the southern state.

"The official toll now is 106 dead. A total of 1,331 camps have been opened across the state, in which 147,000 people have moved in by this evening," a Kerala state disaster management official said.

Kerala's government has described the crisis among the worst in decades  as "extremely grave" as it launched rescue operations to help thousands who remain trapped by floodwaters.