In photos: Unprecedented showers batter Kerala, state on red alert as toll rises to 47

Heavy rain continued to batter the state of Kerala on Wednesday prompting authorities to shut down operations at the Cochin international airport till 2 pm. The India Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a fresh red alert for the entire state for the next 24 hours.

Authorities said the toll from rain-related incidents had risen to 47 since Friday. District officials have declared a holiday for educational institutions in Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, Kottayam and Thrissur.

Here are a few images from across the state over the last 24 hours.

The weather department warned of heavy rain accompanied with gusty winds with a speed up to 60 km per hour in all the 14 districts of the state, PTI reported.

A state government spokesperson said Kerala will request the Civil Aviation Ministry for permission to allow smaller aircraft to land at the Cochin International Airport, PTI reported. Kerala will request the ministry for permission to reroute flights scheduled to fly out of Kochi to the airports in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapum, the official said.

Four National Disaster Response Force teams were airlifted from Pune Airport to Kerala to assist in rescue operations, ANI reported. They are equipped with full-wave rectified equipment and communication equipment.

Travancore Devaswom Board issued a warning to Sabarimala pilgrims not to visit the shrine until further notice, reports Mathrubhumi. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has stopped bus services to Pampa.