Airport authorities said today that flight operations at Cochin International Airport in Kerala were halted until 3 pm on Sunday owing to heavy rain.

The water level has risen in the river Periyar and a canal near the airport. In the floods, at least six people died ; authorities said the amount of people killed is likely to increase.

The Kerala govt said a red alert was issued for four districts — Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Kozhikode — probably from very high to exceptionally high precipitation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met at their control room with representatives from the State Disaster Management Authority to supervise Thursday's relief and rescue coordination.