VIRGIN ISLANDS, September 29, 2017 (Little India): No Indians were injured or killed in the two Category 5 hurricanes that devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands this month, but several have lost their homes and virtually the entire island is crippled without power. The 133-square-mile island was walloped by Hurricane Irma on Sept 7 and two weeks later by Hurricane Maria, killing three people. Pash Daswani, president of the India Association of the Virgin Islands, said Irma was more destructive for the infrastructure of the islands, but Maria brought down whatever remained. The Virgin Islands are running dangerously low on fuel, food supplies and water and officials are warning of an impending catastrophe.
D. V. Singh, consul for community affairs at the Consulate General of India in Atlanta, said: “We have set up a 24/7 helpline. We are in regular touch with the community associations and leadership in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands and we are ready to provide all possible help to all Indian citizens and even PIOs.” He added that Indians in the islands are “safe and sound” and thus far the consulate had not received any requests for assistance. The Virgin Islands are home to an estimated 1,000 Indians.