The sudden breach in the banks of Rupnarayan and Damodar River in West Bengal on July 27 flooded the low-lying areas in the districts of Hooghly, Howrah, Malda, Dakhin Dinajpur, and Paschim Medinipur. Lakhs of people across 160 villages have been marooned and essential services suspended after the roads were inundated. At some points, the water level rose to 15 feet, causing extensive damage.
Responding to the crisis, The Art of Living volunteers rushed into action and started supplying relief materials within 24 hours. More than 400 volunteers joined hands to provide dry food and 60 tons of material to around 170,000 people in several villages, including Kumarchak, Nabinchak, Chingra, Kalimba, Gaurangachak, Jagikundu, Malancha, Solastha, Baligori, Ranjitbati, Kethodal, Mustafapur, Nandanpur, Ganespur, Harishchak, Jotkanuramgar, Jangri, Khanjapur, Kismat, Hanua, Jagatpur, Kulut, Fatepur, Rajhati, Ketedal, Kulgachi, Madhabkundu, Dhulakundu, Udayanarayanpur, Khanakul, Pursura, Daspur, Gazole, Babangola, Balurghat, and Radhakantapur among others.
Around 25 food camps have been set-up in these areas where khichdi is being cooked and supplied twice to the affected people daily. The volunteers have arranged for boats to restore connectivity in some of the worst-hit areas such as Chingra, Kalimba, Mustafapur, Jotkanuramgar, Khanjapur, and Kismat.
At least 100 medical camps are being organized for 20000 people and already 38 camps for over 9200 people have been organized till date. 11 truckloads of relief material and medicines have been sent. The volunteers have also undertaken a cleanliness drive and they are sprinkling lime and bleaching powder around the homes in the 50 affected villages to prevent the spread of viral diseases.
In areas where the water level has started receding, The Art of Living has engaged technicians and plumbers to restore potable water. More than 600 tirpals (tarpaulins) have been set up and 20,000 liters water were given to the people.
Additionally, the volunteers are also conducting Breath Water Sound program in several villages, providing survivors the much-needed relief from anxiety and fear. Hundreds of people have undergone the program so far. They experienced a sense of relief and felt better-equipped to get back to normal life.
The Art of Living team will continue its work in the affected regions and the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP), as well as further developmental activities, are also being planned in the villages.
Several local committees have appreciated the efforts of The Art of Living and are keen to contribute to future endeavors in the flood-affected areas.
Your contribution can help us reach out to the victims with clean drinking water, sanitation utilities, dry food items, hygiene and shelter kits, solar lamps and much more.
Donate today and help spread solace during this time of crisis.
Contributions can be made to the following accounts specifically mentioning it is for West Bengal Flood Relief Material.
Account name: VVKI WB Apex Body
Account no.: 000601049608
Branch address: RN Mukherjee Branch
IFSC: ICIC0000006
Please note that the donor should share the following information with admin.in@iahv.org at the time of transferring funds for maintaining records as we submit the donation/donor details quarterly with the Ministry of Home Affairs:
- Name of donor
- Name of country
- Nationality
- PAN (only for Indian nationals)
- Transaction number for NEFT/net banking
- of grant/donation
- Email/website address
- Postal address
- Contact no.
Note:
- Any amount can be deposited through cheque, online transfer or NEFT.
- Cash donation can be accepted only up to Rs. 2000 under one name.
- For the 80G certificate, mention your PAN no.
- Please take receipts against all donations.
On successful donation, please intimate us on +91 98300 55540.
Also, if you would like us to collect donation from your place, please reach us on +91 90517 60000.
