The Hindu and Sikh communities have rallied to support victims of the floods that have ravished parts of Sydney.
Melbourne Sikhs drove 12 hours to cook free curries for starving residents and others bought a washing machine just so SES volunteers would have a clean pair of pants.
A Sydney Hindu temple that was damaged by floodwater has still kept its doors open to shelter and feed the homeless, while other Hindus have braved the rain to supply nappies and muesli bars to cut-off communities.
Relentless rain battering the NSW coast for nearly a week finally eased on Wednesday, but the state is still in the grip of a crisis with swollen rivers still rising and floodwaters showing little sign of receding.
Sikh Volunteers Australia pictured serving food to farmers in Oxley Island
Volunteer Manpreet Singh said one woman cried when he gave her a curry
The Sikh Volunteers Australia food truck is usually used to feed the homeless
Manpreet Singh spent twelve hours driving food and utensils with two other volunteers from Melbourne’s south-west to Taree on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast on Tuesday morning.
With three other Sikhs who flew to Sydney, the volunteers took leave off work to cook hot curries for people who have lost their homes in the floods.
Mr Singh said one woman in Castle Hill, Sydney, cried when he gave her a curry and told her how far he had travelled to help out.
‘People were so welcome and so happy to see us. Because when we told them we are from Melbourne, they are so surprised,’ he said.
‘One lady started to cry as well, she was so humbled. Like you guys came from long drive and to help us here.’
The Sikh Volunteers Australia group usually use their food truck to feed the homeless in Melbourne’s south-west.
In only two days, the volunteers have visited the New South Wales towns of Taree, Oxley Island, Manning Point and are now based in Castle Hill in Sydney and are planning on staying for another week.
Turbans 4 Australia volunteers filled up their van with food and supplies for flood victims
They also flew out supplies to Kurrajong, which could not be reached on four wheels
‘We are going according to the situation. We will see where most people need the food, then we will move there,’ Mr Singh said.
Another Sikh community group in Sydney, Turbans 4 Australia, have been dropping off urgent supplies for people caught in the floods around the west of Sydney, and have even stocked a helicopter for Kurrajong residents.
They have been donating flushable wipes, nappies, muesli bars, chips, gloves, garbage bags and other basic supplies to affected communities.
The group has donated flushable wipes, nappies, muesli bars and garbage bags (pictured)
Other Hindus have been offering to open up their home to flood victims, with one temple opening its doors despite being affected by floodwater itself.
Arya Samaj Temple in Shanes Park, Sydney, was affected by floodwater but the president of temple is still offering it to provide food and shelter for anyone who needs it.
‘Our temple is inundated in flooding but our spirits of helping the community can never be drowned,’ Suresh Chandra, President of Arya Samaj Temple told Australia Today.
‘Our temple community is ready to help and support anyone who needs shelter or food in case they had to leave their homes.’
Hindu Benevolent Fund has been working closely to assist the Blacktown SES (pictured)
T4A donated a washing machine and dryer so the rescuers could wash their clothes (pictured)
The broader Hindu community has also shown incredible generosity, with many members up their homes on social media.
The Hindu Benevolent Fund has been working closely to assist the Blacktown SES by distributing food and even donating a washing machine and dryer on Tuesday just so volunteers could wash their clothes.
‘In the end we all need to be worked together if we are having this type of natural disaster. Our first priority is to help community, our first priority to stand with the nation,’ said volunteer Ajay Khanna.
‘We’re always saying about the humanity is one of the best religions, so help people when they need any help.’
Ashish Kumar (second left) and Jyoti Chaudhary (second right) offered their home to a stranded student
Mr Kumar (pictured) has previously volunteered with the SES
When Ashish Kumar and Jyoti Chaudhary heard the floods were affecting people near his Blacktown home, their first thought was that they had too much space anyway.
In a viral Facebook post, Mr Kumar said anyone in need of accommodation, shelter or food could reside in one of the families three bedrooms.
‘I am happy to look after your fur babies as well if required,’ he wrote.
One Sydney international student, who asked to stay anonymous, took the offer of a room and meals as the road to her home in Richmond was blocked by floods.
Mr Kumar told Daily Mail Australia offering help was ‘in his blood’.
‘I would say the teachings that my dad has given me is always give out what you have, because … if you give help out, help does come back to you as well,’ he said.
