Chennai rains: Rahul Gandhi calls for relief and rescue operations

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over rains and floods in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called for rescue and relief operations at the earliest and asked Congress workers to extend all possible assistance.

"News of heavy rains in Chennai & other parts of TN extremely worrying. My thoughts are with the people of TN as they battle incessant rains. I hope rescue and relief operations reach those in need at the earliest," Gandhi said on Twitter.

In another tweet, he said, "I urge Congress workers to extend all possible assistance to those affected by the rains & floods."

Chennai and several coastal areas of the state were today marooned in flood waters following incessant heavy rains that pounded the city and the neighbouring districts cutting the state capital from rail and road links even as the airport was shutdown for the day.

Though the heavy rains that lashed the city and the suburbs and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore for more than a day yesterday have shown a let up since this morning, a continuous drizzle under overcast skies spelled further trouble for citizens.