Low death toll masks true extent of Indian cyclone

The true death toll and damage caused by Cyclone Aila in the Indian state of West Bengal could be a lot higher than reported. We fear that this could cause a drop in public support for appeals to help those affected by the cyclone, which struck on May 25.

Friday 29 May 2009

Around 100 people have been reported killed, according to the Indian government. However, around 5.1 million people have been affected by the Cyclone, with nearly 600,000 houses damaged.

“Many villages in the worst-affected areas are now inaccessible,” said Thomas Chandy, head of Save the Children, India. “With each passing day, the risk of a major outbreak of water-borne diseases increases. People living in these villages desperately need fresh drinking water as the groundwater sources are feared to be contaminated by saltwater.”

However, Mr Chandy said that the true picture was gradually emerging. “The likelihood is that hundreds of villages have been cut off from the outside world. Villagers are pulling out dead bodies from the debris. People have lost everything they own. The tide of saltwater has destroyed crops and rendered the land unusable for at least one or two years”.

Find out more about how we’re helping survivors of Cyclone Aila in Bangladesh and India. Donate now to our Cyclone Aila Appeal, and help us to reach more children and their families.

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