KOCHI: The death toll from the worst floods in nearly a century in theIndian tourist state of Kerala rose to 43 on Wednesday as rising waterstranded tens of thousands of people and forced the closure of one of itsmain airports.-

The five latest fatalities from the rain that began a week ago came whenauthorities in the southern state were forced to release water from 35dangerously full dams, sending a surge into its main river.

“Presently, 35 reservoirs in the state are releasing water. Many districtsin the state are facing floods,” the state’s chief minister, PinarayiVijayan, said on Twitter.

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainin the state until Saturday, and it has issued a “red alert” for 12 out ofits 14 districts.

The airport in the port city of Kochi will stay shut until Saturdayafternoon.

The rain and floods have destroyed and damaged hundreds of houses in thepast week and caused significant losses to crops in the state known for itsspices and coffee.

A senior official with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority,Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose, said the seasonal rains have killed more than 200people in the state since May and displaced many.

The state last saw such devastating flooding in 1924.

Famous for its coastline and picturesque backwaters, Kerala has become amajor destination for domestic and international tourists.