Two days after Cyclone Michaung unleashed its fury on the city, Rajasekaran Natrajan found himself wading through Madipakkam’s waterlogged streets as their house was yet to have its water and power supply restored.
“My son who is on the autism spectrum could not step into the water, and I was being dissuaded by rescuers not to take my pet dog along. It was then that a large jeep passed, and the driver asked if I needed assistance,” he said. Shravan Krishnan, an animal rights activist, who was at the wheel, was happy to help. Rajasekaran says he could not believe his luck..
Armed with kayaks and a boat, animal rescuers in the city came together in the aftermath for rescues — both of people and their furry companions. Shravan Krishnan, who helps run the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary, coordinated efforts with ROA shelter by Dinesh Baba in Madipakkam, Velachery, Thoraipakkam and Pallikaranai, efforts towards which have been in place for the last few years.
