Kerala, in late July
2018 went through a very traumatic and
harrowing experience, facing its worst floods in nearly a century,
that necessitated all the 14 districts of the state being placed on
high alert (Chengannur, Pandanad,Aranmula, Aluva, Chalakudy, Kuttanad and Pandalam
being the worst hit in terms of people stranded) More than 373 people died within a fortnight,
while at least 2,80,679 persons were
evacuated. More than 8.00000 people were housed in 4000 relief camps.
Thirty-five out of the
forty-two dams within the state were opened for the first time in history and
all five overflow gates of the Idukki Dam, were opened at the same time after a
gap of 26 years. Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused severe
landslides and left the hilly districts isolated.
373 deaths , loss of property worth crores, not to speak of the psychological trauma of some who lost dear ones; many who have lost everything they owned and have to start from the scratch- people who have lost houses that they had painstakingly built over the years. People who have lost their small business like a tea shop which was their only source of livelihood.
The calamity brought people together and they helped each other in the hour of need.We have seen how brave fishermen left their own famillies to relentlessly engage in saving people and getting food packets for those marooned, Our defence forces as usual did a great job saving many lives. Emergency food, clothes and other materials came from all over the country and continue to pour in. The rains have now stopped but the worst is not over... We have seen people returning from the shelter homes to find their house filled with slush, damaged in many places, electricity and plumbing systems completely damaged. It will take months to get it back into shape. The burden is all the more for those who have now lost their livelihood because of the floods.In Kuttanad, the farmers have lost their agriculture and domestic animals and birds like cattle, goats, hens etc. The state also has to do a lot for rebuilding the infrastructure severely damaged in the landslides.
The actual impact of the disaster will be known only in the days to come. Whatever little in whatever way we can donate will go a long way to alleviate the suffering caused by the calamity. After all, as they say, little drops of water make the mighty ocean.There are many organizations including newaspapers, TV channels, banks etc who are engaged in collecting donations from their subscribers/ customers so as to give a substanial cheque to the authorities handling relief. One can also contribute directly to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Infact, I saw the link attached to a picture posted by a fellow blogger Joshy Daniel on Indiblogger and had used that link to make a contribution.
As many others were urging on FB and other platforms also for donations to the cause, it had not occured to me to write a blog myself until Indiblogger made the appeal : Help Rehabilitate Kerala #Blog ForKerala. I salute Indiblogger for the call. Sometimes we stop short of action just for want of that little prodding/ reminding. So dear fellow citizens of our great country, let us together donate whatever we can- show that "we care" for our brothers and sisters. Let us prove that we, as a nation can surmount any difficulty, win over any setback!
Here is the link for contributions to CMDRF. The donations are exempt from income tax and FCRA 2010
So worried was I that I did not Enquire you about the safety of your kith and kin there. Once the rains showed mercy and stopped pouring I thought of sending you a message . But all I could was pray, pray, and pray not only for the affected people but also for the safety of the selfless volunteers who rendered help in unimaginable way. I shall continue to pray for normalcy to return at the earliest.
ReplyDeletecld do was to pray, pray and pray not only for the affected but also for the selfless volunteers who by their actions brought tears to my eyes. Recently a few months back I was in Chengannur which was very calm and silent. Your post has not only summed up the events but also appealed for help of any kind.
Thank you so much Lakshmi Mam for your affection and concern! With God's grace my relatives were all safe. But a lot of people in the district and state faced the brunt of nature's fury. They are slowly trying to pick up the pieces and return to normalcy. It is wonderful to hear from you...
ReplyDeleteSad and unfortunate the disaster that was in Kerala. Great spirit of cooperation was on display. My heart swells with pride with so much human kindness, and do it ourselves spirit of common men and women of Kerala. One question that comes to my mind is this all through the year we cry about water shortage in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka (the great Cauvery water sharing dispute). Could this extra water not have been diverted by digging canal (not now but with foresight and advance planning)? Could this great human tragedy have not been averted?
ReplyDeleteThank you Unknown for your comment focusing on a solution. The bane in our country has been that on the one hand some parts suffer fron droughts, other parts face problem of floods. Economist. Dr V.K.R.V Rao had suggested in the sixties, a project interlinking the various areas for mutual benefit but the same was stalled on arguements of how much of water each state should get.
ReplyDeleteMany years later when they wanted to reconsider they found that from the original cost estimates, the cost had gone up manifold and therefore had to give it up. If all states cooperate together as one nation many of our problems can be solved.
Unbearable loss to many out there...I am at loss of words for them! It is so difficult to live without a proper source of earning in a country like India.
ReplyDeleteGovt. will never help...many state officials will get to fill their own pockets. I just wish they sympathize with those that need the money to survive for now.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Alok.
ReplyDeleteHow calamity brings people together! Yeoman service by the men in uniform, the other volunteers.....Yes, it will take a long, long time for them to come to terms and move on with the barest minimum. In addition to contributing, we can have a prayer for them each day that would give them the inner strength to work
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Hema! Yes, one big thing that has happened is that it brought human beings together cutting across artificial divisions. It saw active participation of the youth and the police.
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