The Aftermath of Cyclone Bulbul in West Bengal
In November 2019, Cyclone Bulbul struck West Bengal and parts of Northeast India, leaving a trail of destruction. The storm, raging for nearly 8.5 hours, devastated paddy fields, betel leaf farms, and fishing communities—crippling livelihoods overnight. Schools suffered extensive damage, disrupting students’ education just before their board exams.
For 15 days, Dakshin Shibpur and surrounding villages had no electricity, and families struggled to find food and clean water. Amidst the chaos, resilience emerged.
When Communities Come Together – People-Led Response
Kanchan Paramanik, a resident of Dakshin Shibpur, recalls the terrifying night when the cyclone struck:
“The winds were so fierce that the roof of our house was ripped away. We hid under our beds, fearing for our lives. When the storm passed, we rushed to a nearby school building for shelter.”
Goonj Rahat Kits being reached out to people in Cyclone-affected areas
With their homes destroyed, families in the village couldn’t cook for two days. But collective action made a difference—local organizations and volunteers came forward to ensure no one slept hungry.
Goonj’s Role in Enabling Recovery
Understanding the urgency, Goonj mobilized relief efforts, ensuring that essential materials reached affected families in the hardest-hit regions. In partnership with local groups, Goonj provided:
- Family Kits & Ration Kits to sustain daily needs
- Torches, candles, and matchboxes to cope with prolonged power outages
- Mosquito coils, biscuits, and fruit jam to aid well-being
- Books and stationery to support students who lost their school materials
Beyond Relief – Strengthening Resilience for the Future
Cyclone Bulbul did not just disrupt lives; it reshaped perspectives on preparedness and community resilience. The people of West Bengal demonstrated the power of coming together, using local wisdom, and supporting one another through adversity.
As recovery efforts continued, Goonj remained committed to not just responding to disasters, but enabling long-term change—where communities are empowered with the resources they need to lead their own rebuilding efforts.
In times of crisis, it is not just about relief—it’s about rebuilding with dignity.
Community members rebuilding their homes after Cyclone Bulbul
Be a part of the movement
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
