Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 1 of 6

 

 

During Nov-Dec, 2015, the Coromandel Coast of

South India, spanning Puduchchery, Tamil Nadu,

Andhra Pradesh, received incessant heavy rainfall

during the annual northeast monsoon. Tamil Nadu

experienced the worst floods in a century, with 60%

of its capital city Chennai submerged. An estimated

20 million people are affected, 2,500 villages

waterlogged and more than 300 lives lost.

Without resorting to any international first responder

help more than 1.1 million people were rescued by

4,000 local volunteers from Sewa and its partner

organizations - Seva Bharathi Tamil Nadu, and ABVP

Tamil Nadu, among others.

Total losses are estimated at $3 billion, of which $1

billion is in Chennai alone.

Tamil Nadu Flood Relief Ground Report

first five days

Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 2 of 6

 

 

Rescue Operations

More than 4,000 volunteers from Sewa

International and its partner organizations

swung into action immediately for rescue

operations in many parts of rain flooded

Chennai as well as other affected regions of

Tamil Nadu. Of the rescues, notable is His

Holiness Vidyatma Theertha Swami Ji who

was stranded in Anakaputhur with his

disciples.

Hundreds of tons of supplies – food, water,

rice, utensils, mosquito nets/coils, cleaning

supplies (phenol, buckets, mugs, brushes,

bleaching powder) – have been delivered

from neighboring states of Andhra and

Karnataka by our volunteers to Cuddalore,

Chidambaram, and Chennai,

Sewa International has formed different teams and working in different areas to assist various people who need help on ground.

Based on a tweet, our volunteer, of rescue

team Ratnesh Mishra of Phoenix, AZ alerted our volunteers in Chennai about a woman in labor pains. The lady got timely help from Sewa volunteers on the ground. She delivered twins. We are happy to report the mother and child are in good health.

With timely assistance from Sewa volunteers on the ground in Chennai woman delivers twins!!!

Relief Operations

Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 3 of 6

 

 

 

                   

Relief materials from other cities were

transported to Chennai and were distributed at

Thiruneermalai, Maduravoyal, TB Hospital,

Tambaram, and Chromepet.

Volunteers prepared food packets and

distributed to Choolaipalam, Dr. Kanu Nagar,

Chetpet, and Mylapore areas. For instance,

over 1700 food packets, 100 biscuit packets and

400 water packets have been distributed in one

day, just in one area.

Relief Operations

Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 4 of 6

 

 

Many people are wearing same clothes for the

last five days and have lost everything in their

house such as groceries, bedding, furniture,

clothes, personal items and school supplies.

Hundreds of volunteers are cooking food,

collecting & buying materials and sorting it out,

making packets and distributing truck loads of

materials for the needy. At the Hanuman

Temple, Mambalam, Ashok Nagar, the team is

feeding 2,000 people twice a day, for instance.

This is humanity at it’s best!

Not only humans but cattle are also being fed.

Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 5 of 6

 

 

With the intermingling of sewer waste with the flood

water, water borne diseases and virulent fevers have

begun to affect the most vulnerable - the very young

and the very old. Lack of potable drinking water is

straining the system.

A 50 strong team of 50 doctors, 12 medical &

pharmacy students from various parts of Tamil Nadu

and Karnataka have poured into Chennai to offer their

help. A total of 10 teams were formed and they went

around to conduct 40 camps in various parts of

Chennai. About 100,000 affected people were

examined and required help was extended.

The doctors spoke at length about general hygiene to

be practiced and also recommended the use the

Auyrvedic Maha Sudarshana tablet to help boost

immunity levels.

Medical Relief

Sewa International Tamil Nadu flood relief ground report: Dec 7, 2015 Page 6 of 6

 

 

Sewa Appeal

•   Sewa International has already released $25,000 for immediate relief .

•   Sewa International raised $90,000 in the first five days.

•   Sewa will continue to engage for several months through the rehabilitation phase.

“We commit that 100% of donations will be used for beneficiaries of Tamil Nadu floods with ZERO % overheads”

- Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International

In this hour of need, Sewa urges everyone to donate generously.

1.   Online:

www.sewausa.org/donate

Select Tamil Nadu Floods in the projects dropdown

2.   Check:

Make to “Sewa International” and mail to:

Sewa International,

P O Box 820867, Houston, TX 77282-0867

Many corporations in USA participate in grant matching. Your contribution may qualify, please check with your employer.

Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based nonprofit registered under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). All your donations are tax-deductible. Sewa does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion or nationality.

Contact: 708.USA.SEWA or info@sewausa.org

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