Flood Relief in Chennai

Due to the incessant heavy rains, many low lying areas of Chennai city got inundated on the late night of 1st December. Water from the overflowing Adyar river submerged the houses in the adjacent areas, to the extent of about one kilometer on either side of the river. The havoc has affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Many houses adjoining the river, water rose to a height submerging even the houses on the first floor. People were forced to take shelter on the open terraces exposing themselves to rain and cold wind. They could not move out as the water level on the streets in some areas was around 40 feet in height. In this condition many people cried out for help.

Many people in Chennai rose to their feet to help those who were more affected than them by the floods. On hearing about this calamity in the city, Amma guided a rescue operation and relief efforts in Chennai from last week of November. A team of Ashramites, Followers and Volunteers of the Ashram started the rescue operation and hired motor powered boats on 2nd and 3rd December. The rescuers had to use ropes to safeguard themselves from being carried away by the strong currents in the river. Thus volunteers had to risk their lives to save the trapped people.

Packaged drinking water and food were supplied to those who preferred to stay in the trapped houses.

Even after the water has receded, ETW is continuing to feed thousands of affected people with curd rice and lemon rice thrice a day.

Hundreds and thousands of clothes and dresses collected also distributed to the flood affected people of Chennai.