PRAYER REQUEST: CYCLONE FANI SWEPT THROUGH NORTHEAST INDIA
Charles Ham • May 8, 2019
On May 3rd, 2019, a super cyclone hit India and Bangladesh, killing 59 people and destroying hundreds of homes. Cyclone Fani (Category 4) swept through the northeastern coast of India with a maximum wind speed of 213 km/h. At least 42 people have died in India and 17 in Bangladesh. In India alone, 10 million people are estimated to be affected by this cyclone. 1.2 million people had to evacuate in India and 1.6 million people in Bangladesh.
HOPE worldwide India has surveyed the situation along with its local ICOC Church Partner on Odhisa. Four church members have been severely affected by the loss of their homes, while others are in need of basic food, water, and shelter.
Read the reports from local ICOC Church Partners:
Francis Annareddy (ICOC Evangelist who traveled to the location with bags of supplies):
"Lack of power seems to be the biggest issue here - petrol is available at regular prices - drinking water is a bit scarce.
Two disciple's roofs were damaged- the whole greenery of city is lost - the city appears as a ghost-town at night without power - communication is an issue because of towers being shattered.
Please continue to pray for the situation to get better - Henry and Arunima were able to get two hours of rationed power today in order to charge their phones."
May 6, 9:24 am, Mukund Mishra, Evangelist:
"No electricity for the last three days - no ATM or any electronic transfer is accessible. No water supply for the last three days and to pump the water or buy it, they need cash which they don't have now. It is costing INR 2000/- per hrs to pump or 100/- 1 LTR water bottle.
No phone or communication, my son travelled 10 km away from Bhubaneswar to stay in touch with us last night.
Prices have skyrocketed and vegetables are costing 300-400 kg. Many roads are blocked. Disciples have lost houses and valuables.
Please keep them in your prayers, thanks."
May 3, Henry and Arunima Gomes, who lead the church in Odisha:
"Dear brothers and sisters,
This is an appeal for prayer. The eastern coastal state of Orissa in India has been hit by a super Cyclone, Fani. Wind velocity is reported to be over 200 kms per hour. Large scale destruction has been happening since the night of May 2nd and the cyclone has not left the Bay of Bengal Sea. It is expected to carry on tomorrow and all the way till the 5th of May all through the Bay of Bengal region.
Orissa is an under-developed part of the country with most living below the poverty line. Currently we are a church of 43 disciples in the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Most of the disciples are from the villages where many of their homes are reportedly getting damaged. A sister, Elesbon, who is a widow and lives alone has the roof of her house damaged. Another sister's house has both doors broken and roof of the house damaged.
We believe God is good and shall rescue us from this calamity and is our ever present help in times of trouble."
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