Tamil Nadu

Here's how you can help Cyclone Gaja-affected districts in Tamil Nadu

Written by : Anjana Shekar

Three days after Cyclone Gaja made its landfall between Tamil Nadu coastal districts of Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam, the damage to lives and livelihoods and the ruin that lies in its wake is vast.

The official estimate is that around 2,49,083 people have been evacuated with 56,942 thatched houses left completely destroyed and 30,404 thatched houses were partially destroyed in the cyclone. 30,828 houses with roof tiles were also damaged in the cyclone.

While Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Ramanad districts are some of the worst affected, several people are coming forward to support the government in providing relief for Gaja affected areas.

Speaking to TNM, Tiruvarur Thasildar Rajan Babu confirmed that Muthupettai and Thiruthuraipoondi are some of the worst hit areas and that the relief materials being collected are directed to these two towns on priority.

“On Sunday our vehicles took about nine hours to drive through 10 kilometres because people en route to these villages were doing road roko, asking that these relief measures be diverted to their villages. We are trying to get to as many villages as we can,” he stated.

Rajan Babu also added that the Revenue Department has set up feeding centres in the worst hit villages to provide food and water. There are also centres for medicine and another to tend to animals. “We require sarees, veshtis and blankets to be sent to people. Right now close to 1.5 lakh people are still at the relief camps in Thiruthuraipoondi area. It might take another 15 days for them to get back to normal lives. We are making sure enough food and water reaches them,” says Thasildar Chokanathan from Tiruvarur.

Nagapattinam APO Mohan confirms to TNM that work is progressing at break neck speed to restore electricity and remove fallen trees in the district, which is one of the worst hit in the state. “Right now, we’ve made sure people get drinking water and food at the relief camps,” he adds.

NGOs and volunteers wanting to send relief measures can reach out to respective Collectorate offices in the districts.

Assistant Commissioner (R&R) M Duraiswamy confirms to TNM that the rescue and relief operations are gaining momentum in the cyclone-affected districts. "We are trying to identify the worst hit parts in these districts and these areas will be dealt with immediately. People can send in materials to the respective collector's offices in these districts," he says.

Nagapattinam: District Collectorate, Annai Nagar, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611001

Tiruvarur: District Collectorate, Master Plan Complex, Nagapattinam Road, Thiruvarur

Pudukottai: District Collectorate, Kalayanpuram, Pudukkottai.

Thanjavur: Coimbatore Nagapattinam Highway, New Collector Office, AVP Azhagammal Nagar.

Cuddalore: District Collectorate, Gundu Salai Road, Cuddalore

Thasildars can also be reached on the following numbers: Tiruvarur Thasildar Rajan Babu on 9443663922, Tiruvarur Thasildar Chokanathan on 9443663164, Thanjavur Thasildar Suresh at 9655563329 and Nagapattinam APO Mohan at 9442180785.

While the state Government has begun relief measures, several people and organisations are doing their bit to collect materials required to rehabilitate those in affected districts.

DMK leader MK Stalin has announced Rs 1 crore for people’s relief and rehabilitation. Further one month salary of all the MP’s and MLA’s from the party will also be donated. DMK has also requested all party members to send relief materials to Trichy, Kalaingar, Arivalayam. 

Chennai Trekking Club (CTC) immediately sprung into action setting up 10 collection centres in Chennai and one each in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Karaikudi, Tenkasi, Ambasamudram and Pollachi districts.

Relief materials such as blankets, torch light or solar light, new dhotis, sarees, lungis, towel, nighties, odomos packets, tarpaulin sheets, basic grocery items, candles and match boxes are being collected.

Those in Perambur, Anna Nagar, Shenoy Nagar and Arumbakkam areas can reach out to Dr Renuka Ramakirshnan, President, Rotary club of Chennai Bharathi and Dr Banupriya, Founder of Aadharavu Charitable Trust to drop off relief packages at any one of these addresses:

Dr Renuka Ramakrishnan (9444087050)

New 28, Mangalam Villa, 7th cross street,

West Shenoy nagar, Chennai 30

Dr N Banupriya (9600142089)

No 23 A, CYS Road, Sastri nagar 

Near Perambur Railway Station, Chennai 12

Arrow Event Management

Door no 7/2, New no 13/2

9th St. Jainagar, Arumbakkam, Chennai 106

A Facebook group, The New Face of Society (TNFS) has also opened collection centres across Chennai encouraging people to drop off materials to be sent to delta districts. A list of requirements is also mentioned in the post. The coordinators can be reached at 9176199769  and 9003024282 for information about current requirement of materials. 

Direction for Volunteers is collecting fund to send 2,000 tarpaulin sheets to families in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts. “With many having lost their homes and the fact that more rains are expected, we believe our first priority is to provide them shelters. These tarpaulin sheets can be used to temporarily fix roofs,” says Ashok from Direction For Volunteers.

The team has identified a wholesale seller of tarpaulin sheets from Chennai who has offered to give these sheets at market price of Rs 580/sheet. For this, a campaign has been started online. People can also reach out to Direction for Volunteers on 8148786883. The group hopes to be able to send 500 sheets on Tuesday.

Rapid Response a disaster relief agency has been collecting funds to help those affected in cyclone-affected Nagapattinam. Those willing to send money can sent it to:

Account number: 6999413500074080

Account Name: Rapid Response

Account Type: Current

IFSC: YESB0CMSNOC.

Alternatively, they can also pledge to their online campaign here. In addition to sending food packets (Veg Rice & Water Bottle) for 2,500 people, the team also plans to put together different kits like, relief kit (dry ration), bed kit (sleeping mat & blankets) and shelter kit (tarpaulin sheets & rope) for about 300 families in the area. 

Indian Oil Corporation has listed a few contact numbers in cyclone-affected Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai for people to identify the nearest station for their generator needs. Mohammed Sheriff from Nagapattinam confirmed to TNM that people in Nagapattinam and Karaikal can reach out him to know the nearest retail point.

Tanjaore/Tiruvarur - 9442613008

Nagapattinam and Karaikal - 9443389219

Pudukottai -9444830943

The people of Arukottuthurai, a village that lies east of Vedaranyam, are requesting for contributions. Those willing can reach out to Jeevagan on 9916324524.

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