JERSEY CITY, NJ (TIP): A local businessman and community leader Atma Singh who is also the President of Indian Congress Party, USA, has appealed to Indian American organizations and individuals to generously donate for relief work in flood ravaged Uttarakhand. He has, in particular, appealed to the Federation of Indian Associations and other organizations in New Jersey and New York states that organize India Day Parade to cut down on their expenses on Parades and divert the funds to Uttarakhand which needs huge sums to provide immediate succor to hundreds of thousands of its residents.

The recent floods in the northern state of India caused massive damage to a large number of villages and resulted in the loss of nearly 10,00 lives, with more than 4600 people still missing. Damage to bridges and roads left over 70,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in various places in inclement weather and without food and water for days together. Many said after their rescue they were unsure of whether or not they will survive. As of 28 June 2013, hundreds are said to be still stranded.

The Indian Air Force, the Army and paramilitary troops have evacuated more than 1,00,000 people from the flood hit areas in the last 12 days or so. The destruction caused by the unprecedented floods in Uttarakhand has been massive and widespread. It will take long, given the difficult terrain, to rebuild the damaged infrastructure and to rehabilitate the displaced people.