Indian Students Marooned in US Hurricane Safe: Indian Diplomat

Around 200 Indian students of the University of Houston marooned in flood waters in the wake of tropical storm Harvey that caused heavy rains and flooding in America’s fourth largest city were safe, an Indian diplomat said on Monday.

“Thanks @UHpres and University of Houston Police who are working tirelessly to rescue students. They are safe and have food,” Indian Consul General in Houston Anupam Ray tweeted late on August 28.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that the students were “surrounded by neck-deep water”.

“We made efforts for delivery of food but US Coast Guard did not allow as boats were required for rescue operations,” she said.

Stating that Consul General Ray was organising the rescue operations, Sushma Swaraj said in a separate tweet: “Indian students Shalini and Nikhil Bhatia are in ICU. We are ensuring that their relatives reach there at the earliest.”

According to a media report, at least two persons were killed as Houston area continued to be inundated by torrential rain and catastrophic flooding from Harvey, which officials called an “unprecedented” weather event that has left thousands of homes flooded and people stranded and rescue workers overwhelmed. – IANS