With food and water being sold at exorbitantly high prices to tourists and pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha today appealed for help for the flash flood victims.

"This morning I saw in the news that food and water are being sold deliberately at very high prices. This should not be done. I would highly appreciate if we can help them out," Sonakshi told reporters.

In the city to promote her upcoming film'Lootera', Sonakshi appealed people to contribute in whatever they can for the flood victims.

Her father and actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha has already volunteered to donate Rs 50 lakh for the rehabilitation of flood-affected people.

"The contribution is from the whole family. We are together with our father on this," said the'Dabangg' actress.

Actor Ranveer Singh, who plays the male lead in 'Lootera' releasing July 5, described it as a "national tragedy".

"I think it is a national tragedy. Now it's important to prepare ourselves for the future as this might happen again," he said.

Shocking reports of exploitation of distraught travellers have come to the fore in Uttarakhand with some stranded people forced to pay Rs 250 for a 'paratha' and Rs 100 for a small pack of chips.

With their money and belongings washed away in the floods, hundreds of survivors did not get anything to eat for days, the reports said.

Source: The Times of India, DT. June 22, 2013.