Here’s the latest news from Andhra Pradesh, India, where I will be spending the summer leading a Real Life team:
Taken from BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8696211.stm)
At least 23 people have died over
the last two days as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across the
south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Laila toppled power lines
and landslides and heavy rains stalled transport networks around the state.
The storm is now weakening … but officials say it
can still cause more damage.
More than 50,000 people were
evacuated as the storm closed in.
Cyclone Laila made landfall in
coastal Andhra Pradesh on Thursday [May 20, 2010], plunging the area into darkness and
battering it with heavy rains and strong winds.
Winds of 100kph/60mph uprooted
trees and electricity poles and massive waves lashed the coast.
Officials say at least 55 fishermen
are reported missing. The army and navy are on high alert.
It is the worst storm to hit Andhra
Pradesh in 14 years. In 1977, more than 10,000 people were killed when a
cyclone hit Andhra Pradesh.
Another volunteer at our future ministry site writes her on her blog that the first floor of the children’s home was flooded, so they spent yesterday cleaning up poopy sewage water. Thankfully, they are safe – albeit shaken – because they were able to move to the second floor of the building. But that is not the case for everyone else in the region. Homes have been destroyed, power is off and on, roads are treacherous, and there is an increased risk of water-borne illnesses. Read more …
Our ministry contact, India Christian Ministries, is trying to respond by organizing and participating in relief efforts, but they need resources too.
There is no crisis in God’s world, though. He knows, He protects, and He provides. So please
PRAY for the people of Andhra
Pradesh!
