Kerala flood waters recede as thousands remain trapped

Disease prevention and sanitation now top priority as bodies continue to be found

Flood waters have receded in the southern Indian state of Kerala, allowing authorities to retrieve the bodies of victims and enabling residents to start assessing the damage to their homes after the worst monsoon rains in a century.

Rains that have battered theregion for the past 12 days were relenting and authorities said 90% of rescue operations were now complete, though thousands of people were still feared to be trapped in the worst-hit areas.