After The Chennai Floods
The city of Chennai is battling its worst flood ever, and it has once again become a victim of heavy and unwanted urbanisation. We are deeply moved to see the people of Chennai going through the devastating impacts caused by the catastrophe. This is the best time to contribute in whatever way we can. Even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference. I have donated to the fundraising campaign and participated in the relief efforts organized by Volunteer for India Ngo. I have also helped a few gig workers affected by the flood.
While we find ways to weather this and rebuild Chennai, I am sharing a few key messages that can be of good help to anyone in need now.
Share compassion stories: We shall share stories of compassion and generosity so that others will get to know and do their bit. There is inherent goodness in everyone; it is just to inform them about an option to help.
Spread Awareness: Setup Whatsapp groups with friends and amplify about emergency helplines and volunteering opportunities. Below are some of the emergency helplines,
Chennai corporation (tree fall/waterlogging) -1913
Electricity — 94987 94987
Metro water and sewage — 044 4567 or 1916
Snake rescue — 044 2220 0335
LPG gas leakage — 1906
South TN Volunteer list
Tirunelveli Floods
*VOLUNTEERS LIST!*
9841103050 -- Boat rescue team
Palayamkottai- 95663 06614
Thiyagarajanagar --9688106464
Pothigai nagar-- 9342242098
Junction & Sinthuponthurai --- 6379 303 644
thachanallur --- 78718 09805
NGO Colony -- 9790761940
Melapalayam --- 9787005007
Palayamkottai --- 9787005007
Kadayanallur -- 997415009
Puliyankudi -- 8072897011; 9865154832; 9944168205
Senkottai --9842050218; 8124812737; 9842516713
Sankarankoil -- 9659824380
Surandai -- 8870704541
Pottalputhur --- 9677475363
Sankaran koil -- 9659824380
Meenachipuram -- 78718 09805
Make monetary contribution: Let us donate directly to the needy or partner with NGOs and help the people in the face of adversity now. I donated to the fundraising campaign by Volunteer for India ngo using below link, https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-cyclone-victims-3?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraisers-title
Donate in-kind: While donating money is good, we can make in-kind donations such as sweaters, raincoats, blankets, clothes, socks, shoes, candles, matches etc., which would be of great help in these dire times.
Donate time: Not all may be money-rich, but we are time-rich and we can help the needy by participating in medical camps, helping in rescue or evacuation, volunteering to help out in your local community, and supplying food, water, and other essential commodities.
To donate in-kind and to participate in flood relief efforts, Please reach out to Kathir — 7867910529, a volunteer with Volunteer for India Ngo.
Partner with genuine or certified NGOs: It is of paramount importance to take care of our family and extended family with basic needs. Once we have taken care of ourselves, let’s partner with genuine NGOs to help the elderly people, young and old homes without support, and anybody else in our vicinity.
Let’s help the gig workers: In a highly populous country like India, it will not be feasible for the government to reach out to help the needy. Let’s directly reach out to the folks in our ecosystem and donate generously to our maid, plumber, electrician, driver, painter, carpenter, etc. They may be hesitant to ask. As per Khalil Gibran, it is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.
Reapply for Original certificates:
Government will organize camps in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu for providing the fresh originals on Aadhar card, Voter ID, Birth certificate etc, Please follow ESeva website for further updates. There will be no charge levied for this. College students who had lost their original certificates can reapply for them by submitting soft copies in the website mycertificates.in. Please clarify your queries using this toll free number — 18004250110.
Always boil the water and drink. The water around you can be contaminated during the cyclone. It is prudent to boil the water to avoid unhealthy bacteria.
Never attempt to start the car: If your car is damaged by floods, please refrain from starting the car, as it can aggravate the damage, and we won’t get any claim from the insurance company. Inform your insurance company as well. Ensure that you opt for comprehensive car policy which includes the coverage for natural disasters such as flood, cyclones, earthquakes etc. Standard third party insurance alone will not have the coverage for natural disasters.
Cyclone Michaung caused untolerable damage to infrastructure, uprooted trees, and shattered the mobile network, but the spirit of the Chennai people remains unbroken. We need to emulate what happened in 2015 again and come together as One, Resilient Chennai.