Indian Consulate in Houston steps up to help students affected by Hurricane Beryl

After Hurricane Beryl, hundreds of Indian students in Houston were affected by power outages. The Indian Consulate in Houston provided critical assistance to these students. The Category 1 hurricane caused widespread damage and disrupted daily life in the region, knocking out power to nearly a million homes and businesses.

Indian Consulate Helps Students

According to PTI reports, when the hurricane made landfall in Texas on Monday, around 2.7 million consumers were left without power. DC Manjunath, the Consul General of India, has been actively involved in the relief operations and personally visited nearby educational institutions like the University of Houston to ensure the safety of Indian students during this difficult time. Despite the challenges, the embassy has continued its operations, providing assistance and emergency supplies.

“None of us are immune to nature’s fury,” Consul General Manjunath remarked, reflecting on the situation. “As Houston authorities work tirelessly to restore power, we are committed to helping Indian students by providing them with essential supplies during this difficult time.” He also expressed gratitude to local Indian community organizations such as SEWA, BAPS, and VPSS for their tireless efforts to support the community during this crisis.

Despite restoring service to nearly 1.4 million customers since the disaster, CenterPoint Energy says about 860,000 customers are still without power. Over the past week, many households have been without power, forcing them to throw away spoiled food and live in unstable conditions in sweltering heat.

At least 11 people have died in the United States and nine in the Caribbean from Hurricane Beryl, including three in Houston, due to intense heat compounded by prolonged power outages. Residents in the hardest-hit areas, such as Flamingo Island in Fort Bend County, have resorted to extreme measures, such as sleeping in cars or trying to find shelter in the few hotel rooms available.

According to PTI reports, the proactive efforts of the Indian Consulate have been crucial in supporting the Indian student community during this crisis, ensuring that they receive the necessary assistance and resources to navigate this difficult time.

(Contributions from agencies)

Published on: Sunday, July 14, 2024, 5:43 PM IST