As the situation worsens in Kerala after heavy rains flooded the coastal state, the Indian Air Force has deployed 18 aircraft, including 12 helicopters to airlift people stranded in flooded areas. All three defence forces and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been diverted to Kerala to intensify rescue operations. Fishing boats from Kollam reached the flooded areas as the rescue operation with the aid of defence personnel continued.