URGENT MESSAGE FROM AUROVILLE

On Friday December 30, Cyclone Thane hit the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry with heavy rains and wind speeds of up to 135 kph (83 mph) and tidal surges of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). The cyclone hit the whole coast from Chennai down to Karaikal. Our district, Villupuram, is among the worst hit as the cyclone epicenter hit close to Pondicherry.

Damage to a residency.

Sadhana Forest was highly affected by the cyclone. The storm hit us around midnight and strengthened throughout the morning. Around 2:30 AM on Friday morning, 94 volunteers, including families and children, were evacuated from their living spaces to the safest dormitory in Sadhana Forest. In time, the dormitory roof suffered severe damage and everyone underneath was quickly soaked. Although the conditions were very harsh, all of our volunteers kept their spirits high and cared for each other. We are all thankful for going through this experience in a loving supportive community.

Sadhana Forest suffered damage on every structure. Out of 20 houses of the long term volunteers, 14 have been completely destroyed. This has been our greatest loss. These houses accommodate those who have committed to work with us for a few years or more with complete dedication. Additionally, the roofing material of all the huts including: the main community hut, the kitchen, the dormitories, and the remaining residential houses were blown away by the strong winds. The foundations and safety of most huts are severely compromised due to very wet soil around the structures. Also, the laundry and the shower huts were both ruined by the storm.

In the forest, most of the young TDEF trees that we have planted survived. Unfortunately many of our older trees and Acacias have fallen. The vegetable garden and orchard have been completely devastated. The majority or our fruit trees including all the banana trees, papaya trees, and mango trees were uprooted.

The traumatic experience of the cyclone didn’t hinder the volunteers’ spirits. As soon as the sun reappeared we started clearing the paths, making urgent repairs, drying bedding and blankets, and salvaging belongings from the broken homes. However most of the repairs require the purchase new materials and skilled labor which incur heavy costs.

We need urgent help from all our well-wishers, friends and family around the world.

The total damage to infrastructure is estimated at: 2,800,000 Indian Rupees, equivalent to 41,790 Euros or 52,830 US Dollars.

If you’d like to support rebuilding a long-term volunteer’s hut, it would cost 90,000 Indian Rupees.

Please see the attached spreadsheet with the detailed estimate of all emergency rebuilding costs.

Thank you very much for your care and love for Sadhana Forest.

Lots of love,

Yorit and Aviram

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