Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, is supporting a charity appeal with the Gujarat Hindu Association of Leicester to help those affected by floods in Uttarakhand. The northern Indian state was hit by the heaviest monsoon rains it has seen in over 80 years, resulting in floods across many parts of the state.

 

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand has announced that over 5,700 people are missing assumed dead.

 

Uttarakhand is a popular state for Hindu worshippers to visit. The state has a number of significant pilgrimage sites, and Haridwar is a popular pilgrimage site for people from Leicester.

 

It is not known how many people from Leicester, or their families, have been affected by the floods.

 

 

 

Jon said:

 

"These floods truly are tragic. Homes, temples, road, bridges and so many other key infrastructure sites have been destroyed by the floods. Rescue operations need as much help as possible. The Indian Army has had difficulty reaching certain mountainous areas in the state, and rescue choppers have had to halt their operations due to more rain."

 

Several villages in Uttarakhand are on the verge of starvation as they are cut off from roads and are virtually inaccessible. Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarth are the worst-hit three districts cut off from rescue operations.

  

Jon commented further:

 

"I would urge people to donate in any way they can. These floods have caused absolute devastation for the people of Uttarakhand, and rescue operations desperately need assistance. Action Aid has launched an emergency appeal, but people can donate to any charity that has launched an appeal for Uttarakhand."

 

 

Mr Maganbhai P Patel OBE, President of the Gujarat Hindu Association of Leicester, commented:

 

“Due to the extensive devastation caused by the floods and heavy rainfall in the state of Uttarakhand, I appeal to all our members and community to donate generously. At this moment, all the affected people need our help.”

 

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