Whole communities have lost their livelihoods and homes in Sundarbans in West Bengal, after super cyclone Amphan tore through India's east coast. The ecologically-fragile area witnessed the cyclone's landfall on May 20 around 2.30 pm and total destruction followed.?
The situation took a turn for the worse around 5 pm when the storm?became more intense. Saltwater from the river reportedly entered the villages which further damaged the rice crops among other things.? ?
Extensive damage was caused to kutcha houses and even badly-managed or old pucca houses were left drastically impacted by the extremely heavy rainfall that was caused by the cyclone.??
Hundreds of houses were levelled by the storm and asbestos roofs flew away while thatched ones were completely destroyed.? ?
With barely any cellular network left after power poles were uprooted during the storm, all communication lines were dead. The problem has only doubled for the locals of Sundarbans who had to deal with a severe cyclonic storm at a time a full-blown pandemic was already staring them in the face.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) director-general SN Pradhan said, "The biggest challenge is that we are facing two disasters together ¡ª coronavirus outbreak and cyclone Amphan. We¡¯ve been spreading awareness about both COVID-19 and the cyclone while evacuating people. If a cyclone shelter has a capacity of 1,000, we can only accommodate half of that in a bid to maintain social distancing norms."
The storm continued till 10 pm while several villagers ran for their lives as embankments were washed away and everything they owned was destroyed. Around 11.30 pm, the villagers returned to what was left of their homes.?
For those who refused to leave their homes for fear of getting robbed, the storm was a living nightmare.
The cyclonic storm has hit Sundarbans during an extremely difficult time when most people have already lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.?
In order to lend a helping hand and provide resources to the affected people, NGOs are stepping up and doing their best to ensure everyone is looked after. One such organisation is Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha (BTS).?
The organisation has been actively helping out people in the area ever since the lockdown was placed. Presently, it is working in three island coastal blocks of Sundarbans: Kultali, Basanti and Patharpratima. People from a total of 24 villages are in dire need of temporary shelter and basic essentials to survive.
Speaking to Indiatimes, BTS Secretary, Mr Sushanta Giri said, "Most families have lost their homes. Mud houses have completely collapsed. Vegetable farms were also washed away and the heavy rain damaged the ponds."
"Poor people depend on ponds for their daily living and needs", he added.
Despite COVID-19 posing as an obstacle, the organisation is making sure it follows the advisories issued by the State and Central government.?
Mr Giri said, "Volunteers go out in groups in separate shifts in the morning, afternoon and evening. Each and everyone has been instructed to follow social-distancing guidelines and ensure hygiene while dealing with the people."
The organisation is providing the people with food packets which consist of rice, dal, edible oil, potatoes, nutrela, salt, sugar, spices and biscuits and milk for children.?
The organisation has also pledged to help rebuild completely destroyed huts and repair partly-damaged ones. Drinking water points like tubewells are being sanitised and?ponds are being restored by dewatering saline water.?
While ending the conversation, Mr Giri concluded, "We are fighting two battles: the cyclone and the pandemic."
If you or someone you know wants to help out and donate to BTS' cause, please note down the following details:
Non FC Bank: For donations from India:
A/C Name : Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha?
Bank: Axis Bank, Branch: Baruipur Kolkata- 700144?
A/C No. : 259010100079611?
IFSC : UTIB0000259?
FC Bank: For donations from outside India:
A/C Name : Baikunthapur Tarun Sangha?
Bank: Standard Chartered Bank, Branch: G 08, Atria, 23, Gurusaday Road, Kolkata- 700 019?
A/C No. : 32111014070?
IFSC : SCBL0036087?
SWIFT Code: SCBLINBBCAL