Cyclone Vardah killed Chennai's internet, so our writer sent us a handwritten story

Residents looking at uprooted trees in an area in Chennai. PTI[/caption]Two days after the cyclone, mobile connectivity is yet to be restored. Police, Tangedco and Chennai corporation officials continue to use walkie-talkies to communicate as the mobile network is down. R Shanmugam, 43, a resident of Mylapore, said that he had gone to almost all the ATMs in his area but they were either shut or had no cash in them."We had to call in some people to remove the fallen trees from our house," he said. "We have to pay in cash. There is absolutely no cash anywhere. Even bank branches don't have cash. What do I do?"Those in poorer areas of the city like 44-year-old B Perumal says power is yet to be restored and water has become a big problem. Pointing at his empty wallet, "There is not a paisa in my hand. Due to power cut there is no water. I am not even able to buy water cans," he said.Perumal said he walked for two kilometres with buckets to find a public water supply point. "I have walked to work because I have no money for petrol and they are not accepting cards. They say their machines are not working," he said.With demonetisation hitting especially hard, in the aftermath of cyclone Vardah, Chennai is reeling under the double whammy. While Chief Minister O Panneerselvam asking for relief of Rs 1,000 crores, what Chennaiites really need is a quick infusion of cash into their banks and a speedy restoration of mobile services.