Cyclone | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Tue, 02 Jun 2020 10:06:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Cyclone | SabrangIndia 32 32 Cyclone Nisarga to hit western coast: Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat in its path https://sabrangindia.in/cyclone-nisarga-hit-western-coast-maharashtra-goa-gujarat-its-path/ Tue, 02 Jun 2020 10:06:17 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/06/02/cyclone-nisarga-hit-western-coast-maharashtra-goa-gujarat-its-path/ Weaker than Cyclone Amphan, it is expected to make landfall in Maharashtra by June 3

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Within two weeks of Cyclone Amphan that battered the East coast of India, the country is getting ready to battle Cyclone Nisarga that is to hit the country’s west coast. Christened by Bangladesh, Nisarga is much weaker in intensity, and is headed towards the coastline of North Maharashtra and South Gujarat, The Indian Express reported. It is expected to make landfall on the Maharashtra coast on Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday.

 

 

According to a tweet by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), strong winds along with heavy rains are expected during this period. Right now, a deep depression in the Arabian Sea, it can intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds ranging from 95 – 105 kmph. As per updates given by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Konkan & Goa during the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy falls is likely over Coastal Karnataka, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during the next 24 hours.

Extremely heavy falls at isolated places is likely over north Konkan (Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad) and north Madhya Maharashtra. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over south Konkan (Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg districts) and Goa and south Gujarat region (Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Surat).

The sea condition is rough to very rough and the storm surge of about 1 – 2 meters high is likely to inundate low lying areas of Mumbai.  

 

 

Major damage to thatched houses / huts is expected. Roof tops and unattached metal sheets may blow off. Damage to power and communication lines, major damage to kutcha and some pucca roads and flooding of escape routes is expected. Damage to trees and major damage to coastal crops, embankments and salt pans is expected as well.

 

 

Out of the 16 NDRF units, 10 have been deployed for rescue operations and 5 are in reserve. People staying in kuccha houses are being evacuated to safe places and non-Covid hospitals are being made available. The slum-dwellers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area especially in the low-lying areas have been instructed to evacuate. Fishermen have been asked to return from sea too.

 

 

SN Pradhan, DG NDRF in an update on the impending cyclone said, “NDRF teams have been placed as required by the state. Gujarat has got 11 teams and Maharashtra has 10 teams mostly on the coastal districts facing the Arabian Sea. Gujarat has asked for 5 more teams which are being airlifted from Punjab and are likely to reach by the evening of June 2. Evacuation process and awareness drives have begun. Though it is not an extremely severe cyclone category, but all precautions are being taken keeping in mind that while we expect the best, we must prepare for the worst.”

 

 

 

Meanwhile, while the Cyclone Nisarga is yet to come in with full force, gale winds and heavy rainfall have already taken place in some areas across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Some damage has also been reported.

 

 

 

Related:

Help the Sundarbans recover from the impact of Cyclone Amphan

In Images: A cyclone’s fury

The humanitarian crisis that Cyclone Amphan leaves behind

Blows of the sword to a corpse: Mamata Banerjee on Cyclone Amphan

 

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]]> Cyclone Fani death toll rises to 64, CM Patnaik wants special category status for disaster-prone state https://sabrangindia.in/cyclone-fani-death-toll-rises-64-cm-patnaik-wants-special-category-status-disaster-prone/ Mon, 13 May 2019 10:03:13 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2019/05/13/cyclone-fani-death-toll-rises-64-cm-patnaik-wants-special-category-status-disaster-prone/ The cyclone has affected more than 1.65 crore people in 18,168 villages and 52 urban areas spread over 14 districts and rendered over five lakh families homeless. Image Courtesy: AP   Bhubaneshwar: The death toll of cyclone ‘Fani’ in Odisha rose to 64, with 21 fresh casualties confirmed by the state government on Sunday.   […]

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]]> The cyclone has affected more than 1.65 crore people in 18,168 villages and 52 urban areas spread over 14 districts and rendered over five lakh families homeless.

cyclone fani
Image Courtesy: AP
 
Bhubaneshwar: The death toll of cyclone ‘Fani’ in Odisha rose to 64, with 21 fresh casualties confirmed by the state government on Sunday.
 
The ‘extremely severe’ cyclonic storm, which made landfall in Puri with wind speed of up to 240 kmph on May 3, left at least 241 people injured, an official said.
 
The toll, which was 43 till Saturday, rose to 64, as 18 more casualties were reported from the worst-hit Puri district and four more from Khurda district.
 
However, the Odisha government, which had earlier put the toll in Jajpur at four, brought the number of casualties due to the cyclone in the district down to three on Sunday.
 
The highest number of 39 deaths were reported from Puri district, followed by nine in Khurda district, six in Cuttack district, four in Mayurbhanj, and three each from Kendrapara and Jajpur district, an official at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.
 
Of the 64 deaths, 25 were due to wall collapse, 20 more were crushed under uprooted trees and six died of roof collapse. The cause of 13 casualties is yet to be ascertained.
 
Meanwhile, an SEOC report said 241 people sustained injuries in the cyclone, of whom 160 belong to Puri district alone, followed by Jajpur, where 74 people were injured.
 
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also demanded special category status from the Centre for his disaster-prone State.
 
He said a special category status was the need of the hour due to the massive loss to infrastructure which may stall growth and rebuilding of the State.
 
“In fact, this is one of our main demands before the Union government. Odisha faces natural calamities almost every year. The assistance we get from the Centre is mostly for temporary restoration of infrastructure. We have to spend a lot from state’s own funds to work for the long-term,” Patnaik said in an interview.
 
“This puts too much stress on our finances. Precisely for this reason, Odisha should be considered for special category status. In the last five years, we had Phailin, Hudhud, Titli and now Fani. In addition to this, we had massive floods,” he added.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the cyclone-affected areas on May 6, had announced Rs two lakh ex-gratia each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
 
The cyclone has affected more than 1.65 crore people in 18,168 villages and 52 urban areas spread over 14 districts, and rendered over five lakh families homeless.
 
An inter-ministerial Central team is in Odisha to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fani.
 
Efforts are on to restore electricity, water supply, and telecom facilities even as a large number of areas remained in the dark for the eleventh day since May 3.
 
The cyclone has also caused extensive damage to trees and crops in the state. About 14 lakh trees, including thousands of coconut and mango trees, were uprooted by the ”extremely severe cyclonic storm”.
 
According to the state government’s preliminary assessment, over 30 per cent crop has been damaged and more than 1,00,000 hectares of agricultural land badly affected in 14 districts of the state.
 

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]]> Cyclone Gaja and it’s Aftermath https://sabrangindia.in/cyclone-gaja-and-its-aftermath/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 10:05:50 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2018/12/10/cyclone-gaja-and-its-aftermath/ Cyclone Gaja hit the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry early on Nopvember 16th. More than 2,51,600 people were evacuated. More then 80,000 people are from the Nagapattinam district. They are currently residing in the 500 relief camps or people whose homes were not destroyed. We bring to you the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja where […]

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]]> Cyclone Gaja hit the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry early on Nopvember 16th. More than 2,51,600 people were evacuated. More then 80,000 people are from the Nagapattinam district. They are currently residing in the 500 relief camps or people whose homes were not destroyed. We bring to you the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja where people from Nagapattinam talk about the loss of life, homes and livelihood.

 

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]]> In Pictures: Gaja Cyclone, a Dance of Death and Destruction https://sabrangindia.in/pictures-gaja-cyclone-dance-death-and-destruction/ Sat, 24 Nov 2018 10:03:47 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2018/11/24/pictures-gaja-cyclone-dance-death-and-destruction/ The Gaja Cyclone has wreaked havoc in ten districts of Tamil Nadu, when it struck the coast of Nagapattinam on the November 15 midnight. As per local groups and experts, it has already devastated the coastal areas of Nagapattinam district, shattering homes and destroying villages. About 2.5 lakh people are in temporary camps in these […]

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]]> The Gaja Cyclone has wreaked havoc in ten districts of Tamil Nadu, when it struck the coast of Nagapattinam on the November 15 midnight. As per local groups and experts, it has already devastated the coastal areas of Nagapattinam district, shattering homes and destroying villages. About 2.5 lakh people are in temporary camps in these districts with more than 80,000 people in the district of Nagapattinam alone. Not a single tree could be seen standing, not to mention crops, fishing boats, and homes in several villages. Thatched roofs have been blown away making people homeless and the children have lost their school bags, books and notebooks. Power supply is still not up after five days and it might take several days to be revived given that more than 30,000 electric posts have been damaged in the state. A team of volunteers from a grassroots organisation, Vanavil trust visited the Cycle affected areas and have appealed for help for the victims.

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Cylone Gaja

Note:
Having visited some of the coastal areas, we think that the urgent need of the moment are certain basic requirements. Drinking water and food is what people in the camps need, along with mats and blankets to rest in the nights. So, in the true spirit of Vanavil, a school that was born in the aftermath of Tsunami relief work we want to stand with the people of Nagapattinam once again and help them to face this calamity.

One of the worst affected blocks in Nagapattinam district is Thalaignayiru. Here, farming and inland fishing is the primary livelihood sources and the landless agricultural labouring families are the most affected, as always. Please see the list of villages in this block and the number of affected families in the accompanying list.

In order to meet the urgent basic needs of the affected people, we are in the first phase of relief, trying to mobilize dry foods like biscuits, milk powder, essentials like candles, mosquito mats, match boxes and a dry ration kit containing rice, pulses, oil, salt, chilli powder, sugar, tea powder etc. We seek your support in cash or kind to help the most affected people at this moment of crisis.

Please send monetary contributions to Vanavil Trust.

From India:
Account Name: Vanavil Trust
Account Number: 954121293
Bank Name: Indian Bank
Branch: Nagapattinam
IFSC: IDIB000N004 (5th character is zero)

From foreign countries (FCRA):
Account Name: Vanavil Trust
Account Number: 510101006399272
Bank Name: Corporation Bank
Branch: Nagapattinam
Bank Address: 73, Neela South St, Nagapattinam, India – 611001
SWIFT CODE: CORPINBB716

Please put “Cyclone Relief” in the memo field when making a NEFT , RTGS, or SWIFT transfer and send an email to Vanavil.school@gmail.com so that we can acknowledge the donation.

Send materials to
Vaasal Training centre,
No.265, Public Office Road,
Velipalayam
Nagapattinam
611001

List of villages Talaignayiru

  1. Santhaanam theru
  2. Sinthamani theru
  3. Lingathadi theru
  4. Velaanimundal
  5. Muneeswaran koil theru
  6. Santhaiveli theru
  7. Pazhayatrankarai therku
  8. Pazhayatrankarai vadakku
  9. Vadakku theru, pazhayaru
  10. Vadakku theru
  11. Thirumalam
  12. Mukkattai theru
  13. Seraankulam
  14. Pirinjimulai
  15. Kesavan oodai
  16. Sadayan kottagam
  17. Ekarajapuram
  18. Kadantheeddi

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]]> Callous Disregard of Cyclone Ockhi Survivors by Politicians, Administration: People’s Inquest https://sabrangindia.in/callous-disregard-cyclone-ockhi-survivors-politicians-administration-peoples-inquest/ Sat, 30 Dec 2017 07:22:46 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2017/12/30/callous-disregard-cyclone-ockhi-survivors-politicians-administration-peoples-inquest/ Shocking findings have come to the fore  on the Survivors of Cyclone  Ockhi.  What us worse is the deafening media silence on the issue. While Bollywood celebrities had joined in to focus on the ghastly Tsunami that had rocked the same coast,  there is no celebrity concern or participation in rescue efforts this time.    […]

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]]> Shocking findings have come to the fore  on the Survivors of Cyclone  Ockhi.  What us worse is the deafening media silence on the issue. While Bollywood celebrities had joined in to focus on the ghastly Tsunami that had rocked the same coast,  there is no celebrity concern or participation in rescue efforts this time. 
 

Image: PTI
 
On the findings of the first People’s Inquest on Cyclone Ockhi and its devastation in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Nagercoil, December 29, 2017
 
A people’s inquest on the devastation in Kanyakumari because of Cyclone Ockhi finds a shocking lapse on part of the central and state governments to the victims of Cyclone Ockhi a month after the disaster struck. This extends both to the technical and the human aspects of the tragedy. 
 
The victims and their family members in Kanyakumari are being treated as non-citizens. 
 
The honourable Member of Parliament representing Kanyakumari considered it fit to visit Iran and not the affected fishing villages in his constituency. The people’s inquest was undertaken on December 28-29, 2017 by a team of 15 members (list at the end) comprising of a retired justice of high court, senior journalists, academicians, disaster management experts etc.
 
Interim Observations
 
No lessons have been learnt from Tsunami disaster management.
 
Citizens have been left in the lurch because they were considered as outside of some bureaucratic map, for example the deep-sea fishing community who left for the seas before 29th November were completely abandoned.
 
The invisibility of this group is distressing. 
 
Most of the rescue efforts were done by the community with their own resources despite the calamity and the effect on their livelihood 
 
Citizenship does not cease in a disaster situation because it mainly affects their entitlements. 
 
They have a right to protest, complaint and demand as citizens and demand to immediate and long-term relief and the right to articulate without harassment 
While the government relates it as a law and problem negates the principle of natural justice.
 
The community in collaboration with the Church played a remarkable role in attending the physical, emotional and psychological vulnerability of its people, in this context the strength of the community vis-a-vis the State should be recognised while responding to disasters.  
 
The contrast between the language of the government and the community was dark and worrying. Bureaucratic responses tend to emphasise policy details and demographic numbers while the language of suffering is lost. 
It is interesting to note that the community emphasises the unity of the society cutting across caste and class while being sensitive to the requirements of marginal tribes. 
 
The state has responsibility for understanding the unity of citizens and any attempts by political and other groups to communalise/ethinisize the situation should be openly condemned. 
 
The survivor questioned whether the value of life in fishing community has far less meaning compared to powerful groups. In situations of calamity of this nature, the differential value of life becomes sadly apparent and has to be consciously resisted. 
 
There was no attempt to establish a framework of accountability post cyclone at all levels. 
 
Any attempt to reduce compensation to mere doles and nominal sums of money should be condemned. 
 
Tracking of money spent on immediate relief/ proposed rehabilitation at different levels of the hierarchy must comply with RTI rules.
 
The team is surprised by the lack of robust response by the elected-representatives particularly with the indifference of the local Member of Parliament who has not bothered to visit the affected fishing community. 
 
 
Interim Recommendations
 
Re-look at the functioning of the early warning system with the consultation and participation of the community to ensure transparency. 
 
Terms of ensuring the safety of fish-workers going to the sea.
 
Registration of departure & arrival of boats of all kinds.
 
Safety audit of boats to ensure minimum requirements with respect to size, no. of crew and the distance
 
Free provision of life-jackets, first-aid kits and flare guns.
 
Provision of satellite phone and other appropriate communication equipment. People’s security is as important as national security. 
 
It is obvious that the disasters in the sea for fish-workers leads to loss of sole- male bread-winners, therefore compensation packages should take into account the long-term livelihood loss in the family 
 
The relief amount given Rs. 5000 as of today is not only meagre, but extremely insensitive and considered insulting by the community. 
 
The loss of boats, other fishing equipment and damage to crops should be compensated and a system of insurance should be initiated urgently 
Expedite the finalisation of issuing of death certificates within 30 days. 
 
The disaster is not sufficiently acknowledged at all level – Centre & State. The Centre Government should immediately notify as a National Disaster. 
 
The government should immediately address the debt-burden of farming and fishing communities and write of immediately 
 
There is an urgent need to assess the damages on the farming community  
Immediate need to establish professional trauma-care and psychological assistance for families and communities 
 
Education burden of children of deceased as a result of any disaster should be taken care by the government 
Immediate withdrawal of all cases against all protestors seeking relief, rehabilitation and justice. 
 
The inquest focused on the issue of missing fishermen, loss to lives and livelihoods, damage to housing and agriculture etc. The inquest looked at the response of the central and state governments, role of local administration, measures undertaken from cyclone warning till this date and the rescue and rehabilitation processes and actions. The inquest team met the families of missing fishermen, fishermen who managed to sail back, affected farmers and district and state officials.
 
The team also made an effort to reach out to several other stakeholders including fisheries department, marine police, coast guard and the Indian Navy, however some meetings are yet to be completed. This is an interim observation and recommendation prepared by the inquest team and will be followed by a detailed report within a period of two weeks. 
 
People’s Inquest Panel 
Justice (Retd.) B.G. Kolse Patil, Former Judge of Bombay High Court
Prof. Dr. Shiv Vishvanathan, Professor, Jindal Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University 
Mr. DJ Ravindran, Former Secretary of the UN International Inquiry Commission on East Timor. Director of Human Rights Division & UN Peace Keeping Operations in East Timor, Sudan and Libya.
Dr. Ramathal, Former Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women
Ms. Saba Naqvi, Senior Journalist, New Delhi 
Mr. Nanchil Kumaran, IPS (Retd.), Former ADGP, Tamil Nadu
Prof Dr. L.S. Ghandi Doss, Professor Emeritus, Central University, Gulbarga
Dr. K Sekhar, Registrar, NIMHANS Bangalore
Prof. Dr. Ramu Manivannan, Department of Political Science, University of Madras 
Mr. John Samuel, Former Director – UNDP and Former International Director Action Aid
Dr. K M Parivelan, Associate Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
Dr. Paul Newman, Department of Political Science, University of Bangalore 
Dr. Suresh Mariaselvam, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
Dr. Fatima Babu, St. Mary’s College, Tuticorin

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