Indian temples, charities offer shelter to evacuees

The US Coast Guard, FEMA and all Federal and State brave people are ready. Here comes Irma. God bless everyone!

WASHINGTON: She flew in from Tampa and headed for a friend’s home an hour from the Atlanta airport. But it was getting late and friends suggested the Hindu Temple in Atlanta was a safe alternative, at least for the night.

She is a Muslim from Mumbai, and came to the US to study at the University of South Florida.

The temple is taking in people as they come in, unannounced but worried for the well-being of their families.

“We are taking in everyone irrespective of caste, colour or religion,” Sai Ram, a trustee of the temple said.

An estimated 6.4 million people in Florida have been asked to move to safer areas to escape the Hurricane.

People have the option of moving into the nearest shelters run by the government, charities, churches and organizations with access to large spaces. Some, like the university student, are crossing into the adjoining state of Georgia to the north or beyond.

From the consulate general in Atlanta, Indian officials are monitoring the situation for those who need help. They estimate there are 125,000 Indians in the area.

“The situation seems OK for this time,” said Sandeep Chakraborty, the New York consul general who has moved to Atlanta to oversee Indian government’s relief and rescue operations and who has been in touch with Indian American community leaders in most Florida cities.

The consulate has set up emergency helplines that will run round the clock. The numbers are +14044052567 and +16787179393 in Atlanta, and +1202 258 8819 for the Indian embassy in Washington.