Social Impact · Service Notes
Cyclone Titli, 2018: Relief Across Srikakulam's Villages
When Cyclone Titli hit Srikakulam in October 2018, roads, power lines and homes went down overnight. Relief became a race to reach villages before people ran out of basics.
In the early hours of 11 October 2018, Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district. According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, it affected 16.83 lakh people, damaged 50,120 houses and caused an estimated loss of ₹539.52 crore, mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. The Times of India reported that 196 villages in 12 mandals of Srikakulam took the brunt. Roads and the power network were badly damaged.
What we did
In the weeks after the cyclone, our volunteers carried out relief in the affected areas of Srikakulam. By our count, the work reached more than 50 villages, and we spent more than ₹40 lakh on it.
What disaster relief really involves
Reaching people first. After a cyclone, fallen trees and damaged roads cut villages off. The first job is simply getting there, and finding out which villages have been missed.
Basics before anything else. Drinking water, food and essentials come first. Shelter materials and longer-term help follow.
Coordination. Relief works best alongside the district administration and other agencies, not around them. Duplicating help in one village while another gets nothing is the most common failure.
Accountability. When people donate money for relief, they deserve to know it reached the people it was meant for.
Lessons from Titli
- Lists save time. A simple list of villages, their needs and who has been reached prevents gaps and duplication.
- Local volunteers matter most. People from the area know which hamlets are cut off and who is most vulnerable.
- Recovery outlasts the headlines. Media attention moves on within days. Damaged homes and livelihoods take months or years to recover.
- Help is not political. Disaster relief must reach everyone affected, regardless of politics, caste or religion.
Srikakulam's people showed great resilience. Being able to stand with them, even in a small way, is one of the experiences that shaped how I think about responsibility.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Cyclone Titli hit Andhra Pradesh?
- Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Titli made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district between 4:30 and 5:30 am IST on 11 October 2018.
- How much damage did Cyclone Titli cause?
- According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, it affected 16.83 lakh people, damaged 50,120 houses and caused an estimated loss of ₹539.52 crore, mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.
- What relief did Sirigireddy Arjun Reddy's team provide?
- By his own count, relief across more than 50 villages, with more than ₹40 lakh spent.