Cyclones

A disastrous effect

Based on – The State of :

• West Bengal

• Sundarban (meaning 'beautiful forest') is a collection of islands stretching from India to Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal. There are almost 173 islands all together of which majority fall within the territory of Bangladesh. Most of these beautiful islands are dense forests without human habitation but the habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tigers. People who live some of the islands depend on the forest produce for everything besides fishing in sea and rivers that surround the islands. Some of these islands where people live are protected from the saline water with embankments. The Sundari trees are found in plenty in all these islands from where the name Sundarban originate.

The Story of “Aila”

• People in these islands are no alien to the fury of nature and the hardships of life. They have faced many

• May 25th morning storms bravely in the past and the prediction and announcement of Aila was not a reason to worry. dawned with clouded sky and the cool breeze caressing the trees as the people woke up with lots of dreams. It was around 7.00 am when the wind started to blow furiously and the estuaries stared to scream giving people needed warning. With a heavy rain Aila came in with a force of 120 kmph. Aila with 10 feet high waves and diameter of 250-350 km flattened or washed away homes and flooded most of Sundarban, Kakdwip, Sagar and surrounding areas. This devastating cyclone has left more 100,000 people homeless with little or no access to food, safe drinking water, shelter or medicine.

• .

• The Government instead of entering the people’s lives and rescuing with relief materials playing politics as the ruling party lost the election just concluded to the opposition party. The NGOs reached the victims with relief materials and consoling presence. However the long term impact of Aila is huge and some constructive plan needs to be thought of by the Government.

Following are the details of the relief materials that were distributed by AID volunteers- Shayan (AID Kolkata), Anil Somani (AID Boston) and Pankaj Khan (AID Kolkata)

AID-Kolkata volunteers carry relief materials to the affected areas

Total Number of

bundles

Items Approximate number of pieces

17 Ladies Clothing (includes Sarees, Salwar Suits, Dupattas, Skirts, Tops, Jeans)

Approximately 400 pieces

7 Men’s Clothing (includes shirts, trousers, jeans, t shirts, kurta, pajamas)

Approximately 200 pieces

3 Children’s clothing Approximately 190 pieces1 Bags 3 nos.1 Linen (includes Blankets, bedsheets and

quilt)5 nos.

2 cartons Biscuits 250 packets

Thank you

Members are:-

• Sayantan Sinha