MUMBAI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has reached 79 in the flood and landslide caused by monsoon in the southern Indian state of Kerala in the past few days, the latest reports said on Thursday.

According to local reports, the water levels are rising and the towns and villages in major areas are fast submerging. The hilly districts like Wayanad and Idukki lost connection with other parts of the state due to the landslide. Hundreds of rescue services are working across the state to save peoples' lives.

India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian military force have been running against the clock to do rescue work in the affected areas in the state.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed the flood situation and rescue operation with Kerala's chief minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, and asked the defense ministry to step up the rescue and relief work in the state.