Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit to flood-ravaged Kerala begins

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi reached Trivandrum, Kerala this morning and headed Chengannur in a helicopter. Gandhi is on a two-day visit to flood-hit Kerala.

According to reports, Gandhi willvisit Alappuzha and Angamaly later in the day.

After visiting flood-hit areas and relief camps, Gandhi will also meet with the "fishermen, volunteers and others who have been working tirelessly and selflessly to help those in need," Gandhi tweeted out on Monday.

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On Wednesday, the Congress president is scheduled to flag off trucks with relief materials collected by the Congress committee in the Ernakulam district.

Rahul Gandhi, last week, on the occasion of Kerala's harvest festival, Onam, extended wishes to the people of the state and urged people to stay "united" to focus on the task of rebuilding Kerala.

"This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps & homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala," read the tweet.

The devastating floods in Kerala have claimed as many as 373 lives this monsoon season in what has been described as the worst flood and rainfall to have hit the state in almost a century.

Unabated rainfall prompted state authorities to open shutters of nearly 33 dams and reservoirs in the state which led to severe flooding and destruction across the state.

More than 10 lakh people were displaced and rendered homeless, with the majority still taking shelter in relief camps spread across the state. The rescue operation has trickled down with rehabilitation work and reconstruction mission in full swing.

Kerala government has stated a cumulative loss of worth over Rs 21,000 crore to the state.