Sewa International updates from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala

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Sewa International updates from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala

 

For latest updates on the crisis and more information on Sewa International,

visit: http://www.sewainternational.org

 

 

SEVA BHARATHI - TAMILNADU

 

Thousands of volunteers of Seva Bharathi (Chetpet, Chennai) have swung into

action and are providing the much-needed rescue and relief services to the

victims. In a well-coordinated effort, emergency medical services including

medicines, food packets, drinking water, clothes are being provided to the

survivors of Chennai, Nagapattinam, Pondicherry, and other coastal districts.

These selfless volunteers are working day and night to provide extensive relief

and rehabilitation on the grassroots level to affected families including:·

Medical services· Distribution of fishing nets, assistance for purchasing and

repairing

fibre boats· Repair of diesel engines and supply fuel· Distribution of

textbooks, notebooks and uniforms to students.· Construction of houses, repair

and construction of community infrastructure

 

The centre for co-ordinating the relief work being done by Seva Bharathi in

Tamil Nadu is:SEVA BHARATHI - TAMILNADUShakti, 1 M.V.StreetPanchavati , Chet

PutChennai - 600031Ph- 044 28360243, 28361049

sevabharthitn

You may send the relief material or any other help to the above address.

Donations can be sent by cheque, draft or money order in the of 'Seva Bharathi

Tamilnadu'. Help, such as sending blankets, warm clothes, medicines etc, can

also be sent to the above address.

 

‘Sewa International’, the international wing of Seva Bharathi, is providing

adequate support by raising money and supplies from Non-Resident Indians in the

USA and UK and sending it to 'Seva Bharathi Tamilnadu.

 

For latest updates on the crisis and more information on Sewa International,

visit: http://www.sewainternational.org

Sewa International, USA is a tax exempt non-profit 501-c-3 organization. Please

forward this appeal to all your friends and family. Kindly make your donation

payable to "Sewa International", write "Tsunami" in the memo and mail it

to,Sewa International, USA

http://www.sevausa.org

Address: 3535 McClure Woods Dr, Duluth GA 30096 Do you want to volunteer in

collecting donations, contact Srikanth: Phone: 678-362-7480 Email:

sewa_usa Sewa International, UK

http://www.sewainternational.com

Address: 46/48 Loughborough Road Leicester LE4 5LD England (UK)Phone: +44(0) 116

261 0303, Email: info (AT) sewainternational (DOT) com Sewa International, IndiaAddress:

Apte Bhavan, 10196, D. B. Gupta Road, Jhandewala, New Delhi- 110055,

IndiaPhone: 91-11-23517373, 23684445, E-mail: sewain (AT) vsnl (DOT) com

 

To read Sewa International - Daily relief updates & reports, visit:

http://www.sewainternational.org/

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Sewa International > Reports > Flood Affected Area Activities In South Tamilnadu

As On 29-12-2004

Flood Affected Area Activities In South Tamilnadu As On 29-12-2004

 

 

- M.N.SUNDHAR

South Tamil Nadu has the sea coast areas in which Nagapattinam is worst

affected. Next comes Karaikal and Kanyakumari. Other coastal areas Tirunelveli,

Thuthukudi comparatively less affected.In Nagapattinam surroundings upto

Pondichery as we know 19 villages are affected. Out of these 19 villages, 2

villages are worst affected. So far more than 3000 bodies found at Nagapattinam

itself in which 1500 bodies were taken out by our Seva Bharathi team of

volunteers comprising 150 persons. Government machinery so far have been able

to work only in Nagapattanam town. Since water level still continues to be

high, relief has not reached surrounding villages in which hundreds of dead

bodies lying uncared since total hamlet itself has been washed away. So, we

expect another 2000 bodies from these areas. Immediate task before us is to

remove dead bodies Government officers themselves are asking us to help. We are

also finding it difficult to reach affected villages because of

water level and also lack of enough vehicles and funds. Immediate medical

arrangement of antibiotics in large scale is also needed to avoid spread of

epidemic.Volunteers worked in Nagapattinam government hospital to handle dead

bodies. Local public and others offering food to the affected people. We have a

sheltering camp for this work at Nagapattinam. A team of about 300 Seva Bharathi

volunteers to-day proceeded to Nagapattinam from Coimbatore surrounding. Another

Seva Bharathi team of 50 college students from Vivekanandha college,

Thiruvedagam, Madurai Dt sent by our Regional Secretary Prof.R. Vanniarajan.

This two group of persons will work for ‘sava-seva’. This team will find out

the dead bodies from the hamlets and will help to cremate them safely. Adequate

minimum medical precaution has been given to do this work. Large quantity of

purified water packets, food items, cloths and blankets sent in lorries to

Nagapattinam.Regarding Kanyakumari, as we know 16 coastal villages affected out

of which 2 villages worst affected namely Kulachal and Manakkudi. In Kulachal

itself 250 dead bodies found out. On 27th (second day) water level increased

and waves taken 100 lives. Sea water level gone inside the ocean. More than 500

public reached sea-shore safely from Vivekanandha Rock memorial which is built

in the midest of ocean. A relief camp is operating from VRMC campus at

Vivekanandhapuram . Relief materials like food items biscuits, clothes and

blankets are arriving to relief camp for distribution. On 27th two doctors

teams headed by Dr Srinivasa Kannan and Dr.Deivaprakash consisting of 40 Seva

Bharathi volunteers went round the affected coastal villages and treated about

100 patients. This medical team consisted 3 doctors, 7 nurse and 15 volunteers

for several help.Another group of volunteers went round the coastal areas of

kanyakumari and found out 80 bodies and buried.

Totally Seva Bharathi 250 volunteers worked in this relief operation at

Kanyakumari. On 28th relief materials have been supplied to the affected

people. To know the work progress following persons can be contacted.FOR

NAGAPATTINAMP.M. NagarajanMobile 98425-66315 Ph 04365-220803FOR KANYAKUMARIS.

RamanMobile : 94434-16565 Phone 04652-229460The relief works are carried over

in the name of Seva Bharathi Tamilnadu. Relief materials cheques ,drafts can be

sent in favour of SEVA BHARATHI TAMILNADU, EARTHQUAKE RELIEF A/C addressed to

Seva Bharathi,1 M.V.Street,Chetpet,Chennai 600 031

Report prepared and sent byM.N.SUNDHARTRICHY

-------------------------

Sewa International > Reports > TSUNAMI Relief Work By Seva Bharathi - Tamilnadu

TSUNAMI Relief Work By Seva Bharathi - Tamilnadu (28.12.2004)

 

 

Chennai, Dec 28: Nagapattinam district is the worst affected in the tsunami

attack on the Tamilnadu coast. Approximately 4000 lives have been lost in the

district. THEY REMOVE DEAD BODIESMore than 500 Seva Bharathi Volunteers are

engaged in this task. So far the administration has removed 2000 dead bodies.

The Volunteers have removed 805 dead bodies. Volunteers from Coimbatore,

Madurai, Trichy, Ambur, Salem and Erode have also rushed to Nagapatttinam to

render assistance. AMBULANCES RUSH HELPTwo Seva Bharathi ambulances one each

from Salem and Coimbatore are used in Nagapattinam for the rescue and relief

operations. Assistance in the form of rice, dhal, clothes, and medicines from

all parts of the state are pouring into the district. DARING MEN, DARLINGS OF

THE PUBLICIn the Kolachal area of Kanyakumari district more than 200 Seva

Bharathi Volunteers are engaged in the relief works. So far 96 bodies have been

recovered from that place. Govt. officials contacted Seva Bharathi members and

requested them to participate in the rescue and relief work. TRAINING THE

SOCIETY IN SEVAAt Kolachal a joint effort with The Ramakrishna Mission has been

undertaken to distribute vessels for cooking. A Medical camp is being organised

by Dr..Deiva Prakasam, District Seva Bharathi president of Nagarkoil. So far 5

such camps have been conducted. The Seva

Bharathi Volunteers who were at Vandavasi camp collected money for the relief

work going door to door. With a view to render relief assistance at the

affected areas the Volunteers are conducting surveys. One of the Villages badly

affected in Kanyakumari district is Pallam. Volunteers are actively engaged in

relief work there. FIRST ON SPOT IN FAR-FLUNG AREASCompared to other districts

in Tamilnadu the damages suffered by Chennai city is on a lesser scale. But

Media and NGOs are concentrating only on Chennai. Therefore Seva Bharathi

Volunteers are engaged in relief work in areas like Pazhaverkadu and Kovalam

near the city.

Reported Deaths Along Tamilnadu Coast

Chennai

150

Kanchipuram

81

Tiruvallur

12

Villupuram

35

Cuddalore

410

Nagapattinam

3000

Kanyakumari

1000

A survey is being conducted in the coastal belt to assess the extent of damage

and the areas which need rehabilitation work:

1. Repairing of damaged fishing boats

2. Buying fishing nets

3. Subsidising diesel supply to the mechanized fishing boat owners

-------------------------

Sewa International > Reports > Report-1 (27.12.2004) : Relief work done on 26th December

TSUNAMI Report-1 (27.12.2004) : Relief work done on 26th December

 

Andhra Pradesh:In Andhra Pradesh Nellore, Prakasham, Krishna, East Godavari,

Vishaka & Vijay Nagaram were the worst affected districts as per the

preliminary information. Seva Bharathi Volunteers have started the relief work

in various parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

· A team of doctors and volunteers from Jaya Bharat Hospital (Nellore)

has started the medical facilities in affected area and saved nearly 43 lives.

· Nearly 7000 food packets were distributed so far in the

above-mentioned villages.

· A temporary relief camp was started in Singarayokonda in Prakasham

district and the local volunteers were helping the Government authorities.

· 3 medical vans from Guntur district rushed immediately to prakasham

district with preventive medicines and a batch of 50 volunteers from Kangiri

were also joined the team.

· A batch of Seva Bharathi volunteers in Natha Rameshwaram (of East

Godavari district) also started the relief camps in the same area.

· A survey is going on to estimate the total loss incurred in the

coastal Andhra.

Rehabilitation work planned:

· Medical services

· Distribution of fishing nets, assistance for purchasing and repairing

fiber boats

· Repair of diesel engines and supply fuel

· Distribution of textbooks, notebooks and uniforms to students.

· Construction of houses.

· Repair and construction of community infrastructure.

Dr. S. SukumarJana Sankshema Samiti, Madhava Sadhan,Kaleshwara Rao Road,

Vijaywada- 520002,Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tamil Nadu:The earth quake that hit the East Coast line on December26, 2004 did

extensive damage to many places of Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai,

Pondichery, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kanniyakumari. Tremors were initially

felt around 6.30 in the morning. But around 8.45 a.m., the seawater raised upto

10 mtrs. With terrific speed engulfing the huts, houses and people living in the

coastal areas and also people who were walking on the coastal road, children

playing nearby, and fishermen both in and out of sea. Fishing boats, fishnets

and catamarans were extensively damaged. By 10.30 a.m., Seva Bharathi

volunteers swung into action and involved themselves in the relief work and

salvaging the dead. By noon 12.30 the volunteers started distributing food

packets. By evening, the relief work gained momentum and more and more

volunteers along with volunteers of many social service organisations like

Ramakrishna Mutt etc., coordinated in arranging for food packets, buns, clothes,

blankets, milk to the children etc. In some places, relief centres were opened

and food prepared round the clock. Immediately, nearly 800 volunteers involved

themselves in relief work. Around 20,000 food packets were distributed. Six

medical centres were opened for giving medical assistance. The response from

the general public was also spontaneous as a result of which clothes arrived at

the relief centres in a big way. A survey is being conducted in the coastal belt

to assess the extent of damage and the areas which need rehabilitation work. In

the coming days, it is decided to take up rehabilitation work on a larger scale

particularly providing of boats, fishing nets, blankets, utensils, supply of

note books, text books to the students, construction of houses etc. An office

has been opened for the relief work in Chennai. Sri Bhaktavatsalam will

co-ordinate the relief work. We appeal to the

general public to co-operate by giving their donations at the earliest in the name of:

SEVA BHARATHI TAMILNADU (EARTH QUAKE RELIEF A/C)'Shakti' No.1, M.V.Naidu Street,

Chetput, Chenai 600 031.Phone No. 2836 0243, 2836 1049E-mail:

vskchennai (AT) vsnl (DOT) net.

DISTRICTWISE REPORTCHENNAI

Immediately after the incident, 250 Seva Bharathi volunteers swung into action

and distributed 12,000 food pockets. In addition, blankets, sarees, bread,

biscuits, milk to children were distributed. One medical van started operating

with a team of doctors who went round the affected places and gave medicines.

Two relief centres were opened and food prepared round the clock for

distribution.

PONDICHERY

25 Seva Bharathi volunteers immediately rushed to the affected places and

distributed blankets, clothes. At Karaikal, volunteers engaged in the work of

salvaging the dead bodies.

CUDDALORE

A Seva Bharathi medical team immediately went round the affected places and gave

medicines to more than thousand persons.

NAGAPATTINAM

A relief centre has been opened. 50 volunteers involved themselves in the relief

work. Food packets along with water sachets and clothes were distributed.

KANYAKUMARI

Two medical teams started going round the affected places and provided first-aid

and medicines. 100 volunteers were involved in the relief work. Food and clothes

were distributed.

(R.V.S. MARIMUTHU)

Kerala:Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam are the worst affected districts of Kerala.

Kollam: Karunagapally taluk suffered major fury. Around 86 people died. But

casualties are definitely going to be more. 6600 people are housed in 26 relief

camps. Out of 26, our Seva Bharathi volunteers are managing 14. We are operating

6 ambulances. We also provide food, clothes, medicines and beddings. An

estimated 800 houses have been washed away.Alappuzha: 23 people are reported to

be dead. More bodies are being recovered. 800 houses have been damaged. Most of

them belong to poor fishermen. Relief camps are jam-packed. There are only 14

camps and around 40000 people are housed. All these camps are being run by Seva

Bharathi. The district administration seems to be helpless. Seva Bharathi has

opened a relief camp in the Kayamkulam Taluk Hospital much to the relief of

Govt. authorities.Ernakulam: Our training camp at Nayarmbalam has been

converted into a relief camp. Food and medicines have been arranged for around

600 inmates. Further help is pouring in.Foodgrains, medicines and clothes are

being collected which are badly required for relief operations.

Shri M. Ganesh

 

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