Help us rebuild after Cyclone Gulab!
Visakhapatnam recorded 24 hours of 282 mm of rainfall on Monday, September 27, 2021, which broke the 16 year record of 194 mm for the month on September 20, 2005. Cyclone Gulab is raging in the area, with Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Nizamabad continuing to be under “red alert”. IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) has predicted heavy to very heavy rains, with isolated extremely heavy rains, for the above mentioned districts.
This translates to our workers working in excessively unfavourable conditions to move our Shelter 1 and Kindness Farm animal friends to drier and warmer spots.
- Chest-deep waters at many low-lying areas across our 13 acres of Kindness Farms
- Mucky, wet soil, providing unsafe and unstable footing, causing increased dangers to staff managing panicked animals
- Swollen feet due to being in the mud-soaked rain waters for prolonged hours
- Sickness caused by the above factors
- Working longer hours due to reduced staff numbers
Our alert medical team has been working round-the-clock, making sure the animals are safe, comfortable, and keeping dry. They have been providing warm covers to the animals especially susceptible to hypothermia. Our vets, paravets, and other staff are working extra shifts and longer hours to ensure the safety of every animal, and their food rations. They are rationing and buffering feed and medicines for the animals, but our supplies are running out quickly.
Please note that at Kindness Farm, to address both flooding and water needs throughout the year, a Rain Water Harvesting Project is underway. Absence of funds delayed the onset of this important project. With the climate crisis, this has become mission-critical. The heavy rains have stalled its construction; however, we hope in the coming year(s), our Farm will be able to deal with the onslaught of water problems effectively, via this planned and thoughtful tactic.
As the government resources stretch for emergency preparedness in the northern Andhra Pradesh districts, issuing warnings to farmers, fishermen, and people residing in low-lying, high-risk areas, for their safety, we continue to, independently move forward with our mission to tend to the pain and suffering of all animals.
Now, more than ever, we need your help in this emergency situation.
Please help us continue to protect and guarantee the safety, feed, and vet care of all our rescued animals. Your contribution to VSPCA in these hard times will help us meet their daily needs. No animal should die from hunger and helplessness. Please check our website for more information on how to donate from within India or outside India.