Kerala floods: Rahul lauds fishermen for assisting in rescue ops

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reached the flood-ravaged state of Kerala and lauded fishermen for assisting in rescue operations. He met the flood victims at a relief camp in Chengannur district.

Gandhi who is on a two-day visit to Kerala also addressed a large group of fishermen and lauded them for helping the coast guards in conducting the rescue operations. "I salute your bravery and your commitment to the people of Kerala. Three thousand fishermen saved 70,000 people and this is not a small thing," he said.

He also assured them that if the Congress comes to power in 2019 general elections, then a separate ministry would be created to address the community's grievances. "God's owns army will have its own ministry," he added.

The Congress president is also scheduled to visit relief camps in Alappuzha and Angamaly later in the day. On Wednesday, the Congress president will take stock of the situation in the Wayanad district.

Also after meeting the flood victims, Rahul waited in the helicopter at the Chenganoor Christian College ground in order to give clearance to an air ambulance.

Kerala faced the worst flood in a century, which claimed lives of as many as 357 people and rendered thousands homeless.