Bangalore / Chennai: The Shrine of Our Lady of Health at Vailankanni (also known as the ‘Lourdes of the East’) bore the brunt of cyclone Gaja which hit the coastal districts of India’s Tamil Nadu early on Friday.
The storm caused heavy damage to the 16th century Shrine Basilica at Vaillankanni in Nagapattinam district. Due to gusty winds, the rood cross on top of the church broke and fell, Church authorities said. The church is built in accordance with Gothic architecture.
Authorities said the 75-ft tall stone statue of Jesus erected in front of the ‘Morning Star Church’ in the town, sustained structural damage. According to church officials, the hands of the statue have suffered damage. The roof of the Museum of Offerings in the town has also been damaged. The basilica wore a deserted look and many people of this region have lost their houses, the trees have been uprooted, the roads and the school buildings have been damaged.
The cyclone ripped through Nagapattinam uprooting trees and snapping power lines leaving a trail of destruction in coastal districts besides claiming 13 lives and flooding standing crops.
The cyclonic storm made landfall on Tamil Nadu’s coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam early hours Friday, bringing in heavy rains in the coastal regions, according to a weather bulletin. Winds gusting upto 120 kmph uprooted trees, snapped cyclone-related and blew off roofing-sheets. Heavy rain and strong winds have been lashing the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu since Thursday evening.
The natural disaster took its toll despite the preventive measures taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu and by the Church. The most affected areas lie in Diocese of Thanjavur and Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore which have been badly affected by this cyclone. The districts of Nagapattinam, Pudukottai and Pattukottai are the most affected regions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered help and expressed sadness at loss of life. “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives due to cyclonic conditions in parts of Tamil Nadu. I pray for the quick recovery of those injured. Officials are working towards providing all possible assistance in the wake of the cyclone.”
In a release issued today, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed deep sorrow and sadness at the heavy damage inflicted by cyclone Gaja .
The Church personnel, especially TASOSS, TMSSS and PMSSS (Social Service Societies of the Region and Diocese) under the guidance of the Bishop of Thanjavur, Most Rev. M. Devadass Ambrose and the Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, Most Rev. Antony Anandarayar, are helping the affected people.
“The Catholic Church stands in solidarity with all people suffering from this calamity and desires to help all people irrespective of their religion, community or provenience. Caritas India is assessing the damage and will begin immediate relief intervention as soon as possible. We reiterate our desire to work with the Government and all people of good will to provide succour to the suffering people. We pray for the repose of the departed people and even as we offer our condolences to the affected families we assure them of our support and comfort,” said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Secretary General, CBCI.