Kerala, August 16: In the latest development, and as a result of the floods in Kerala, Cochin International Airport or Kochi Airport will remain closed till August 26. According to reports, the Periyar river has flooded the airport, and therefore it will not be available up to 2 pm on August 26. All the flights will remain suspended until then. The heavy rains have brought the state to a standstill, claiming more than 86 lives in the last few days.

In an earlier report, Authorities at the Kochi International Airport had decided to suspend the operations till 2:00 pm on Saturday (August 18) as heavy rains continued to lash Kerala on Wednesday. "We are working hard to drain out the stormwater. All are requested to co-operate," authorities said while announcing the suspension of operations in an earlier statement.

The public transport system was severely affected in many parts of central Kerala with the Southern Railways and Kochi Metro today suspending their operations due to floods. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) also suspended its operations on Thursday morning after its yard in Muttom near Aluva submerged in the flood waters. Kerala Floods: Heart-Breaking Videos of People Stranded in Rains, Asking Help From Authorities Go Viral!

Bus services to Kochi were also affected after National Highways connecting the city submerged in Kalamassery area, officials said. Cochin International Airport had earlier suspended all flight operations till Saturday as water entered in the airport area following continuous rains and the opening of dam shutters in Periyar river.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2018 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).