https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/20/asia/india-kerala-floods-fishermen-intl/index.html
Kerala floods: Some fishermen recruited for rescues say survivors insulted them
By Swati Gupta, CNN
Updated 0417 GMT (1217 HKT) August 21, 2018
Kollam, India (CNN) As devastating floods hit India's southern state of Kerala, thousands scrambled up to the higher floors in their buildings and crouched together on balconies, waiting desperately for help.
And then, finally, the rescue boats came.
Fishermen, who had loaded their boats onto trucks, voluntarily traveled to Kerala's inner towns and villages, inundated with more than 10 feet of water. Most people gave them a hero's welcome, grateful to be evacuated after a long wait.
But others have hurled insults and abuse at the volunteers.
Marion George, a 47-year-old fisherman, reached a home in the city of Kollam on Friday with a family of 17 trapped inside.
When he told them that he was there to help them, he was asked, "Isn't this a Christian boat?"
Fisherman Marion George says Hindu Brahmin flood victims would only let him rescue them if he did not touch them.
When he replied that, yes, he was a Christian, the men in the family refused to get in his boat and waved him away.
The men were from India's highest Hindu caste, Brahmin, and would not go near George, despite their desperation.
Five hours later, George was back in the same neighborhood and saw the same family calling for his help. He docked his boat close to their home but was again told by the men that they would only board if he did not touch them.
"Normally, their attitude is like this only. We just thought that in this situation, they would have changed," George said.
George estimated that he rescued 150 people over two days until his boat was too damaged to continue.
CNN spoke to several other fishermen who also reported being insulted and treated suspiciously by victims they were trying to help.
The Kerala state government has said that more than 2,800 fishermen have been involved in the relief effort.
More than 300 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced, as torrential rains triggered the state's worst flooding in nearly a century, destroying homes and roads. People are clinging to anything that floats to get them out of their homes.
People refuse to leave their homes
There is also an issue of trust in strangers. People have been reluctant to leave their homes and belongings behind out of fear that they will be robbed.
Arun Michael, a fisherman in Kollam, saw the news of the flash floods on TV on Wednesday last week and decided to help. On Thursday morning, he loaded his 32-foot boat onto a truck lent out by the local police and he and three others made their way to the district of Pathanamthitta.
Over the next three days, Michael evacuated more than 1,500 people. He navigated his boat through strong currents and rising water levels, reaching flooded homes and helping people climb in. On the last day, he evacuated a total of 600 people.
"What happened now, can happen to anyone. If tomorrow something happens to us, we hope that help would come for us," he said.
But he was surprised to come across victims who greeted him with suspicion and insults.
Some people abused him for trying to convince them to evacuate, he said, referring to a number of victims. Some even made him first carry their dogs to the boat before climbing in themselves.
In some cases, people refused to leave their homes. "They were arrogant and just wanted us to give them food," he said.
Kerala floods: Some fishermen recruited for rescues say survivors insulted them
By Swati Gupta, CNN
Updated 0417 GMT (1217 HKT) August 21, 2018
Kollam, India (CNN) As devastating floods hit India's southern state of Kerala, thousands scrambled up to the higher floors in their buildings and crouched together on balconies, waiting desperately for help.
And then, finally, the rescue boats came.
Fishermen, who had loaded their boats onto trucks, voluntarily traveled to Kerala's inner towns and villages, inundated with more than 10 feet of water. Most people gave them a hero's welcome, grateful to be evacuated after a long wait.
But others have hurled insults and abuse at the volunteers.
Marion George, a 47-year-old fisherman, reached a home in the city of Kollam on Friday with a family of 17 trapped inside.
When he told them that he was there to help them, he was asked, "Isn't this a Christian boat?"
Fisherman Marion George says Hindu Brahmin flood victims would only let him rescue them if he did not touch them.
When he replied that, yes, he was a Christian, the men in the family refused to get in his boat and waved him away.
The men were from India's highest Hindu caste, Brahmin, and would not go near George, despite their desperation.
Five hours later, George was back in the same neighborhood and saw the same family calling for his help. He docked his boat close to their home but was again told by the men that they would only board if he did not touch them.
"Normally, their attitude is like this only. We just thought that in this situation, they would have changed," George said.
George estimated that he rescued 150 people over two days until his boat was too damaged to continue.
CNN spoke to several other fishermen who also reported being insulted and treated suspiciously by victims they were trying to help.
The Kerala state government has said that more than 2,800 fishermen have been involved in the relief effort.
More than 300 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced, as torrential rains triggered the state's worst flooding in nearly a century, destroying homes and roads. People are clinging to anything that floats to get them out of their homes.
People refuse to leave their homes
There is also an issue of trust in strangers. People have been reluctant to leave their homes and belongings behind out of fear that they will be robbed.
Arun Michael, a fisherman in Kollam, saw the news of the flash floods on TV on Wednesday last week and decided to help. On Thursday morning, he loaded his 32-foot boat onto a truck lent out by the local police and he and three others made their way to the district of Pathanamthitta.
Over the next three days, Michael evacuated more than 1,500 people. He navigated his boat through strong currents and rising water levels, reaching flooded homes and helping people climb in. On the last day, he evacuated a total of 600 people.
"What happened now, can happen to anyone. If tomorrow something happens to us, we hope that help would come for us," he said.
But he was surprised to come across victims who greeted him with suspicion and insults.
Some people abused him for trying to convince them to evacuate, he said, referring to a number of victims. Some even made him first carry their dogs to the boat before climbing in themselves.
In some cases, people refused to leave their homes. "They were arrogant and just wanted us to give them food," he said.
