Fifteen people have died and several more are feared missing in Kerala after torrential rain lashed the southern and central parts of the state on Saturday, according to the state’s Information and Public Relations Department.

The Army, NDRF, police and the Fire Force along with the locals began rescue operations on Sunday morning at Koottickal and Kokkayar panchayats.

A total of 33 people, including eight women and seven children, have been rescued so far, according to the National Disaster Response Force.