Cyclones are now a routine in the Sunderbans. After Amphan caused widespread damage last year, cyclone Yaas has led to more damage.
Initial estimates by the state government suggest that one crore people were affected by the cyclone and that over three lakh houses were damaged.
Storm surges coincided with the cyclone inundated thousands of acres of land with saline water from the rivers and the sea.
Record evacuation saves lives in Sundarbans. But islanders’ livelihood were shattered.
Cyclone Yaas may not be as powerful as cyclone Amphan in terms of destruction. But the saline water inundation of ponds and large stretches of farmland is much more devastating and has severe long-term effects.
Trucks, vans from far and wide came with relief materials—political parties, clubs, civil society groups all joined hands to help the people of Sundarbans.
