For almost two weeks in November 2021, heavy rains and strong monsoon winds battered the northern regions of Tamil Nadu in India, with almost 23 centimetres of rain falling on one day alone.

The heavy rainfall, along with overflowing canals and reservoirs, caused severe flooding that left the city of Chennai knee-deep in swirling waters that killed at least 16 people. More than 1,000 tenement settlements suffered damage to homes and left thousands of people without power, clean water or safe shelter.

The Salesian Sisters approached us for emergency funds to help 3,000 families recover from the devastation to their homes and lives, especially targeting children, pregnant women, persons with disablities and the elderly.

With the help of trained volunteers, the Sisters purchased and distributed essential food, water, rain gear and medical supplies. Volunteers also helped install 600 tarpaulins to homes until reconstruction could begin, and supplied more than a thousand people with emergency safety lights. Food from volunteer community kitchens provided meals and groceries to flood-affected households and nearly 3,000 families received counselling and psychosocial support for the trauma related to the monsoon.

As climate change threatens to drive more extreme weather events each year, the Sisters have also taken steps to help residents of Chennai be better prepared for future storms. Exploiting their relationships with local authorities, the Sisters organised residents into advocacy groups, helping them assert their rights to safe housing that can stand up to the impact of future climate change.