The Indian Navy rescued nearly 500 people on Friday, continuing with its massive rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Kerala where monsoon rains have left a trail of death and destruction across the state.

Kerala's worst floods in a century have claimed the lives of 324 people, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Friday evening. 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Funeral Updates: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's adopted daughter Namita Bhattacharya is performing the last rites of the former Prime Minister at Smriti Sthal in New Delhi as Vajpayee, even in death, sends a message by going against the tradition of a male family member performing the duty.

Way back in February 2006, when the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred the "8th SIES-Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award" he could not travel to Mumbai owing to certain health issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who talked to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the flood situation on Friday, will travel to the state for an aerial of the affected areas on Saturday.

Twenty years ago, India scripted a success story on May 11 and May 13, 1998 when five nuclear tests were performed in Rajasthan's Pokhran under the guidance of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had assumed power only a little while ago.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died on Thursday, was admired and respected across the political spectrum. Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi, who was known to take on BJP leaders sharply in parliament, made an exception for Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to whom he was always courteous.