Thiruvananthapuram: Rain-battered North Kerala is slowly limping back to normalcy, even as the toll in the monsoon fury in the state rose to 88 on Tuesday morning and 40 people were still missing. Over 2.52 lakh people have taken shelter in 1,332 relief camps across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has left for the worst affected districts of Malappuram and Wayanad from where 41deaths have been reported in a series of landslides on August 8.Addressing the flood-affected at a relief camp in Meppadi in Wayanad, Vijayan said, "the government is with you.. we need to overcome all difficulties and harships together."

Accompanied by Revenue minister, E Chandrasekharan and Chief Secretary, Tom Jose, the Chief Minister would also be visiting relief centres in Malappuram and hold discussions with people's representatives and officials. According to an official update at 9 AM, 88 people have lost their lives in various parts of the state since August 8. In Malappuram, which was rocked by a series of landslips triggered by downpour at Kavalappara and Kottakunnu, the toll has climbed to 29, with 32 people still missing.