Some Catholic dioceses are helping people in the northern parts of India severely affected by heavy rains, floods and landslides.

Bishop Ignatius Loyola Ivan Mascarenhas of Simla-Chandigarh on July 11 told The Union of Catholic Asian News, “I have instructed all our institutions, social service center and medical center to be open 24/7 so that we can help the needy,”

He said that most areas in his diocese were badly hit by the unprecedented and sudden rains that unleashed floods and landslides.

The church teams of experts and volunteers were working round the clock to provide food, lodging and medicine, the prelate said.

The Catholic Dioceses of Simla-Chandigarh is spread over 83,560 square kilometers and includes the union territory of Chandigarh, eight districts in the state of Himachal Pradesh, 12 districts in Haryana and six districts in Punjab.

Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of Gurgaon in Haryana said, “as of now we are in wait and watch mode” as the government has begun the rescue and relief operations.

“We are assessing the situation and will start our relief work as required.”

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, said road network, electricity and water supplies have suffered extensive damage across the hilly state, which attracts a lot of tourists.

Efforts were underway to evacuate around 300 people, including locals and tourists, stranded in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts, he said.

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