Even as the deadly deluge in Kerala continued to take a toll of life and property across the state – with the number of deaths rising to 87 on Thursday – the Centre has deployed all three wings of the Armed forces in a massive rescue operation that is currently underway.

Till Thursday afternoon, 20 fresh deaths – mostly from Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Thrissur – were added to the toll that has been rising since August 8. With continuous rain forecast till Saturday, the Centre sanctioned more men and materials, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media, after a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central leaders.