Gusty winds and heavy rains triggered by Nivar Cyclone caused flooding in some parts of Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengleput, Cuddalore, Panrutti, Pazhaverkadu, Perambur, Maduranthakam, Arakonnam, Puducherry and coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
Seva Bharti was quick to respond to the natural calamity. In a press statement they said that “In the beginning of the baithak, these districts office bearers explained about the impact of the rain so far. Activities to be undertaken considering the expected severity of the cyclone were discussed. For each district, a team along with one in charge was formed and to discuss about the situation in those respective districts”.
Thousands of people who were in low lying areas were affected and were accommodated in various Government Shelters. Sevabharati Tamilnadu in coordination with the Government administration decided to involve in service activities. It has been decided to supply food, water bottles, medical supplies, clear the uprooted-fallen trees on road.
“The moment we got the news that Nivar Cyclone is going to hit the Tamil Nadu very severely, Samyuktha Tamil Nadu Bithak was arranged on 24th Nov. kshetra SangaChalak Sri Vanniyarajanji , Kshetra Pracharak Sri Senthil, Kshetra Seva Pramukh Sri Padmakumar, Pranta pracharaks Sri P.M. Ravikumar and Sri Arumugam with karyakarthas from Sevabharathi and Sanga Seva Vibhag were participated” said Seva Bharti in the statement.
Nivar Cyclone crossed the shore near Puducherry on 25th around 11.30 pm causing minimal damage. RSS Sevabharati volunteers immediately engaged themselves in service activities to the affected people. During cyclone period, Chembarambakkam lake near Chennai was opened, water-logging was there in the low-lying areas.
Swayamsevaks in Chrompet, Tambaram area started their seva in preparing food immediately to the affected people and served around 1000 people. In Cuddalore, Sevabharathi volunteers distributed food packets to around 2000 people affected by Nivar Cyclone. Food packets were also distributed to 300 people of Irular community in Kanchipuram. Sevabharati volunteers are engaged in taking stock of damage caused by storm. In Ranipet, Arakonam Kanda, around 200 people were safely placed in three camp shelters, provided with food and essential items. In Thiruvallikeni, Chennai, volunteers engaged themselves in cutting and removing the trees fallen on the roads.
As State level and district level teams were formed and as warning and awareness given, relief activities could be done fast. The press release said “Survey is also being carried out on the impact of the cyclone. Based on this, the requirement of relief materials will be known. It is very pertinent to mention that as Tamil Nadu government also well planned and executed relief activities in advance, it is seen that casualties and impact are considerably low”
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