Cyclone Gaja which struck in November 2018 is a major disaster with significant economic impact in Tamil Nadu. The devastation suffered by tens of thousands of people in several districts of the State has been severe, going well beyond the annual storm season losses. Since the cyclone struck, the suffering, the loss, and the displacement in large parts of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts is of an enormous magnitude.
Houses have collapsed, farms lie ruined, water sources are contaminated and electricity supply remains disrupted. The Tamil Nadu government has estimated the number of people rendered homeless at 3.7 lakh, and houses destroyed at 3.4 lakh. The cyclone has crippled agriculture and livelihoods in a fertile region, felling thousands of productive trees and killing livestock. Between 60% and 80% of the coconut trees in the region have fallen, hobbling Tamil Nadu’s farmers, who contribute a quarter of India’s coconuts with the highest unit yield. Unlike paddy or many other crops, bringing coconut plantations back to life will take years.
The Tamil Nadu government has given the Centre a memorandum seeking nearly ₹15,000 crore for restoration, rehabilitation and mitigation, besides ₹1,431 crore for immediate relief work. The State’s requirements should be met in full. Cyclone Gaja has wrought terrible devastation, and the relief programme must match it in scale.
Call to Action
We are reaching out to you to donate today, to aid the victims of this calamity. Please donate to ‘Empower Tamizhagam’ to enable us to deploy support to the field as well as to facilitate sustainable livelihood options.
Courtesy The Hindu Newspaper