Cyclone Montha: Münster helps families in need after devastating floods

Cyclone Montha: Münster helps families in need after devastating floods

The east coast of India is under water, affected by the severe devastation caused by cyclone “Montha”, which hit the coastal region on October 28th and 29th, 2023. Over 400,000 people have to deal with the consequences of the destruction, as numerous villages were flooded and houses were destroyed. The regions of Avanigadda, Koduru and Nagayalanka in the state of Andhra Pradesh were particularly hard hit, where the situation is catastrophic after the storm. The diocese of Münster has now provided 50,000 euros to help the diocese of Vijayawada with emergency relief measures, as kirche-und-leben.de reports.

“Montha” struck the region with winds of over 100 km/h and torrential rain across the coast. These extreme weather conditions caused massive damage to the infrastructure. Closed schools, canceled flights and a ban on fishermen from launching their boats are just some of the immediate consequences. Over 100,000 people in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu had to be evacuated to emergency shelters, reports Tagesspiegel.

Help for those affected

The financial support from the Diocese of Münster is used, among other things, to provide food, drinking water and medicine. Temporary accommodation for homeless people is also planned, while at the same time work is being carried out to rebuild damaged houses and support affected farmers. The massive rainfall has devastated an estimated 38,000 hectares of farmland in Andhra Pradesh and ruined crops, with dramatic consequences for affected families.

The cyclone has also already severely affected power supplies and general infrastructure. Thousands have lost their homes and are faced with the challenge of starting anew amid destruction and uncertainty. The Diocese of Vijayawada reacted quickly and is offering initial emergency assistance through its social service center. The connection between the dioceses of Münster and Vijayawada has long been established, with eight priests currently working in the diocese of Münster.

Cyclones in India: A recurring phenomenon

But why is it that India is hit so often by cyclonic storms? The country's geographical location makes it vulnerable to tropical cyclones, which occur mainly between April and November. The coastal regions in the west, south and east of the subcontinent are particularly affected. Every year there are around 6 to 10 cyclones in India, which can cause massive damage to the country. Most recently, a cyclone in 2020 led to at least 128 deaths, while around 150 people lost their lives in 2021, as laenderdaten.info notes.

Help for the affected families is therefore not only urgently needed, but also an important step in enabling people to survive in such a challenging situation. However, it remains to be seen whether the extent of the damage can be determined in the coming days, as the exact picture of the destruction and the number of those affected will only gradually come to light.