Mobile Relief Camp – Cyclone Aila in Sundarban & Yash in Purbo Midnapur
Cyclone Aila was the second tropical cyclone of the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. A relatively strong tropical cyclone, it caused extensive damage in India and Bangladesh. As of 27 May 2009, 330 people have been killed by Aila, and at least 8,000 more are missing, while about 1 million people are homeless. Health officials in Bangladesh confirmed a deadly outbreak of diarrhea on 29 May, with more than 7,000 people being infected and four dying.
The cyclone led to the ingress of saline sea water into the lush green fields stretching across South 24-Parganas and North 24-Parganas districts, where paddy cultivation provides direct means of livelihood to 85 per cent of the population. The salinity in the soil has snatched away other means of livelihood -- animal husbandry and pisciculture - from the poor villagers. In many areas of the worst-affected Gosaba and Basanti blocks in South 24-Parganas district, hardly any grass cover remained in these places.
At that time (after 3 days) we, 20 – 25 members went there with 300 kg rice, 50 kg pulse, salt, biscuit, package drinking water, milk powder, medicine, clothes etc. by hiring a steamer launch. We visited 10 – 12 villages throughout the day.
