Flooding in India Affects Kids

Shyam Thanullu and Preston discuss the flood.

Most kids would be thrilled if school was cancelled. For 10-year-old Charan Viswanathan of Chennai, India, however, the cancellation in late 2015 was a stressful and scary time. Constant rains in November and December flooded the coastal city in South India, forcing many of its businesses and services to shut down.

With no place for the rainwater to go, the floodwater reached 4 feet in many places. Some low-lying houses were completely underwater, and many people had to move in with friends or relatives. Even some of the higher buildings saw up to one foot of water.

Flooding was not the only frightening thing. "The water was everywhere,” said Charan. “We were worried that flood-damaged wires would cause electric shocks." For three days, the government had to shut down the electricity to the entire city.

Many schools were closed because of the water damage to their electrical systems. Other school buildings were used to shelter people who lost their homes to the flood. Charan was out of school for more than a month.

Although schools were closed, kids still had schoolwork. Teachers sent assignments via cell phone. Even with work being sent home, the students got tired of being inside. "We were bored,” said Charan. “We played chess [a lot].”

NO FOOD

The people affected by flooding were often without food or water. Neighbors helped one another by emptying their pantries to give food to those in need.

"One of the things that really appealed to me was people of different religions coming together and helping each other," said Maya Balaraman, whose mother lives in Chennai. Since traveling by car was not possible, the government dropped food from helicopters onto roofs. Merchants had to move from their shops and use boats to sell their merchandise.

Ten-year-old Shyam Thanullu, who lives in Plano, Texas, visits his grandmother in Chennai regularly. “I want to raise awareness about what is going on,” he said. “They need all the help they can get. I’m really worried about everybody who was caught in the flood, including my grandmother."

For now, the floodwaters in Chennai have receded, but the city has a long way to go to rebuild.