The northern part of Chennai bore the brunt of Michaung's fury, where five major Salesian establishments, including young-at-risk centres, orphanages, old-age homes, schools, and youth centres, found themselves inundated. The catastrophe prompted swift action from the "Don Bosco Emergency Relief Team," a dedicated group assembled by the Provincial and Council.

In a heroic display of solidarity, this emergency response team rescued 150 young people and Salesians who were marooned by the floodwaters, relocating them to safety in other Salesian houses. The host Salesian communities of St Bede’s and SIGA welcomed them with open arms. Operating under challenging and risky conditions, the team organized the preparation and distribution of cooked food and drinking water to over 1500 people stranded in the floodwaters. The Development office of the province, SURABI, took charge of the broader relief and rehabilitation efforts, helping 3000 flood-affected families. The Salesians working for migrants provided relief materials and medicines to distressed and displaced migrant youth and families.

“I witnessed first-hand the sacrificing and daring spirit of Salesians and young volunteers who risked their lives to rescue the people in crisis. They worked day and night to supply food to areas surrounded by neck-deep water. The resilience and generosity of people in these critical conditions are truly amazing,” said Fr John Alexander, the Vice Provincial who coordinated the province’s emergency and relief efforts.

Recognizing the urgent need for medical assistance, the Past Pupil Association of Don Bosco School at Egmore organized free medical camps in the flood-affected areas of Vysarbadi, Basin Bridge, Parambur, and Egmore. These camps provided general health check-ups, consultations with doctors, and the supply of free basic medicines, offering a lifeline to those grappling with health issues in the aftermath of the disaster.

As SURABI assessed the extensive damage and disruption to the livelihoods of flood-affected poor families, the development office initiated reconstruction and rehabilitation projects to help these communities rebuild. The relentless downpour, which reached 468 millimetres in a span of 35 hours, marked the highest rainfall in Chennai's history over the last 47 years. This created unprecedented challenges for relief efforts by the government and other organizations, like the difficulties faced during the floods in 2015, which claimed over 250 lives.

Tragically, the floods also claimed the life of 19-year-old Santhosh Kumar, who was washed away by the unexpected currents of the Coovam River. Santhosh, residing in a Salesian house and working in a private workshop, became one of the many poignant stories of loss amid the disaster.

Despite the grim circumstances and the profound challenges posed by Michaung, the Salesian community's response stands as a testament to the strength of human spirit and the unwavering commitment to restoring hope in the face of adversity. The rebuilding process may be long and arduous, but with organizations like SURABI and the dedicated efforts of the Salesian community, there is a resilient and united front working towards the restoration of normalcy and the rebuilding of lives in the aftermath of this natural calamity.