"EXTREMELY GRAVE"
According to India's weather bureau, since the beginning of June more than 321cm of rain has fallen on the hilly central district of Idukki, which is now virtually cut off from the rest of the state.
The Kerala government has said it faces an "extremely grave" crisis and Vijayan warned of further torrential rainfall hitting the region over the weekend.
The gates of dozens of dams and reservoirs across the state have been opened as water levels reach danger levels, inundating many other villages.
At least 310,000 people have been displaced and are taking shelter in more than 2,000 relief camps.
North and central Kerala have been worst-hit by the floods with the international airport in the main city of Kochi shut until at least Aug 26.
The home ministry announced separately that 868 people have been reported dead in seven Indian states including Kerala since the start of the monsoon in June.
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