Cyclone Nisha - Floods in Tamil Nadu, India
DECEMBER 5, 2008
(33b/2008) India floods
PHOTO: CASA-ACT International
The state of Tamil Nadu was hit by cyclonic storm ‘NISHA’ in South India, since the 26th of November 2008. Under its influence, heavy rains lashed coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, taking the death toll above 120. More than 50,000 hectares of crops in the Cauvery delta districts were submerged and 64,000 hectares officially declared flood-hit. The districts affected by heavy rains causing flash floods are Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, Ramananthapuram, Puducherry, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Trichirapalli and Tanjore. Several places recorded extremely heavy rainfall that even touched 330 mm. Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts are among the worst affected.
More than 120 people have been reported dead over the last few days. The districts affected by heavy rains are Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, Ramananthapuram, Puducherry, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Trichirapalli and Tanjore. More than 50,000 hectares of crops in the Cauvery delta districts were submerged and 64,000 hectares officially declared flood-hit. According to newspaper reports, about 100 boats have been damages, and more than 500 houses have been damaged. A number of deaths have been reported due to electrocution and house collapses from different parts of coastal districts in Tamil Nadu. In Rameshwaram, 10 fishermen were reported missing and several fishing boats damaged.
There is acute need for cooked food for the affected families, who are staying in relief camps. Their houses have been inundated with water and some of the houses have even been completely damaged living these people completely dependent on others for their sustenance. ACT members will respond with relief for 20,500 flood displaced families for 4 days through provision of cooked food.
