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India: Flood situation report 21 Aug 2003


BIHAR
NATURE OF THE DISASTER: Floods

Bihar has been affected by floods and so far 18 districts have been affected by floods in the state. The first wave of floods took place in the last week of June and has resulted in the displacement of lakhs of people. The situation became critical on 1st August, 03 as 6.34 lakh cusec of water was released from Valmikinagar barrage which inundated large areas of Western Champaran and Gopalganj. This high volume of water was released due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Nepal. As per information received from IMD, light to moderate rainfall is expected in the catchment areas of all rivers of Bihar & in Upper catchment areas of Son till 22.08.03.

Current Situation:

18 out of 38 districts are currently affected. The new affected district is Bhagalpur. Relief operations have started in Katihar, Darhanga, Supaul, Samastipur, Katihar, W. Champaran, Purnia, Muzaffarpur, Araria, Vaishali, East Champaran and Bhagalpur. The flood situation is improving and the water levels are showing decreasing trends in some of the rivers.

Today discharge in Gandak at Valmikinagar barrage is 3,80,000 cusec and 3,36,041 cusecs in Kosi. Alert in the districts Western Champaran and Gopalganj has been sent

River Ganga at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district is 0.13 meters above danger level and at Farakka site in Murshidabad district is 0.61 meters above danger level.

River Punpun at Sripalpur in Patna district is 2.15 meters above danger level.

River Ghagra at Gangsiwan in Siwan district is 0.72 meters above danger level.

River Gandak at Khadda site in Padruana district is 0.22 meters above danger level and at Chattia site in Motihari district is 0.52 meters above danger level.

River Budhi Gandak at Sikandarpur site in Muzaffarpur is 0.11 meters above danger level, 0.04 meters above danger level at Rosera site in Samastipur district.

Adhwara Samooh at Kamtoul site in Darbhanga district is 0.31 meters above danger

The left embankment on Kamlabalan is damaged at several places (erosion of the top layer of soil) due to heavy rainfall, protection work has been carried out and the embankment is safe.

The embankment on Ganga River near Chandpur Dhamoul vulnerable but protection work has been undertaken and embankment is safe.

Champaran embankment on Gandak River is under pressure and about 1000 feet along the river bank is highly vulnerable near Nagdaha. Situation is critical, but is under control.

The embankments of Kosi River are safe and all vulnerable points are under vigil.

The left embankment of Burhi Gandak is also under pressure. Measures to protect it are underway.

Area Affected:

Name of District
Block
(s)
GPs affected
Villages affected
Marooned Villages
Families evacuated
Families living on railway tracks, roads
Loss of Lives
Affected Population (in lakhs)
Boats deployed
No. of houses damaged
Families displaced due to erosion
Sitamarhi
10
73
185
28
9
0.99
226
Madhubani
1
8
32
3
0.33
22
249
16
Muzaffarpur
7
81
229
147
32
10
2.82
276
69
Saharsa
5
51
169
169
860
-
3.32
195
882
Sheohar
4
38
128
48
6
3.08
167
1205
Darbhanga
9
71
196
83
12
2.7
248
1
Samastipur
6
32
87
87
6
1.53
154
13
3
Araria
9
48
108
150
2.13
116
596
150
E. Champaran
15
89
241
12
6479
5
3.89
237
111
666
Suapul
6
47
131
120
558
2
2.25
101
901
2117
Madhepura
3
12
17
14
2
0.533
98
Purnia
4
43
329
329
1165
2
3.26
31
90
90
Katihar
15
128
599
205
4
5.57
137
5702
3537
Khagaria
6
36
69
51
1.44
119
58
W. Champaran
4
40
84
61
7150
8
2.03
184
1060
500
Vaishali
1
1
2
0.0001
1
12
Gopalganj
4
20
46
11
10
1.053
19
30
Bhagalpur
2
4
4
0.02
192
1489
Total
111
822
2656
1160
15037
1315
79
36.9461
2331
11171
8568

Rainfall Data in Nepal Region
River
Rain Gauge Station
Rainfall (mm)
16.08.03
Rainfall (mm) 17.08.03
Rainfall (mm) 18.08.03
Rainfall (mm) 19.08.03
Rainfall (mm)
21.08.03
Gandak Pokhra
Bhairawa
Bharatpur
-
-
10.30
5.0
-
4.80
121.20
97.20
traces
19.00
72.00
66.30
12.70
30.50
44.90
Bagmati Simra
Kathmandu
Nagarkot
2.20
-
-
0.10
21.60
-
22.40
56.20
20.10
80.80
35.80
67.00
16.80
8.00
8.30
Kosi Okhladunga
Taplejang
Dhankutta
Biratnagar
-
0.1
traces
5.60
22.20
11.90
-
-
36.60
26.80
36.80
traces
30.50
20.70
32.80
3.10
1.90
7.00
-
.60
Kamala Janakpur
-
0.20
nil
67.20
40.20
Source: Flood Control Room, Irrigation Office)

IMPACT: DAMAGE BY SECTOR

Roads: Damage to roads and public property has been reported due to inundation. Sheohar has reported massive damages to its roads. The screw pile bridge at Sheohar has been totally damaged. Communication on NH 77 at Katujha, Bhanspatti (Sitamarhi) and Janar (Muzaffarpur) connecting Muzaffarpur to Sitamarhi and on NH 104 remains disrupted. Some traditionally low-lying areas of the state are inundated due to water logging and accumulation of rainwater. Detailed reports are awaited.

Houses: Damage to houses has been reported from Madhubani, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Supaul & Araria. In Araria alone, the value of house damages, mainly Kachcha houses has been of about 1.36 million. Loss of lives has been reported.

Livestock: Losses to livestock and hutments have been reported. Saharsa has reported heavy damage to the animal population (35,000) and the families dependent on them (approx 31,000 families).

Agriculture: Crop damage has been reported but the figures reflect the value of damages only from 9 districts. The actual figures are awaited. Purnia has reported heavy damages but the report states that the water stayed only for 24 hrs and the situation is fast returning to normal. Katihar is one of the worst affected with more than 5 lakh people affected in 13 blocks.

RELIEF AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES:

District
Relief Camp
Health Camp
Vet Camp
Darbhanga
8
5
-
Supaul
10
9
8
Madhepura
3
2
3
Purnia
-
-
5
Katihar
84
43
11
Samastipur
8
5
-
W.Champaran
6
4
5
Araria
5
Sitamarhi
23
18
Muzaffarpur
1
10
5
Vaishali
9
2
3
E. Champaran
41
19
14
Gopalganj
3
5
18
Sheohar
12
4
4
Bhagalpur
-
219
52
Total
190
350
146

Resources mobilized:

Allotment, under various sub-heads of calamity relief fund has already been released to the flood prone districts as given below:

(i) Evacuation of the people affected/ likely to be affected: 256.04 lakh.

(ii) Cash Dole: 453.00 lakh

(iii) For provision of fodder: 22.00 lakh

(iv) For free distribution of food: 853.00 lakh

(v) For Emergency Medical Care/provision of medicine, disinfectants and insecticides: 23.50 lakh

(vi) Restoration and supply of drinking water : 17.50 lakh

(vii) For repair and replacement of boats: 21.50 lakh

(viii) For Medical care for cattle: 16.00 lakh

(ix) Ex Gratia payment: 62.65 lakh

Relief Commissioner have visited the affected areas of Darbhanga and assessed the relief assistance being provided by the district administration.

A meeting was held with UNICEF to discuss the areas in which they could provide assistance. They have agreed to provide bleaching powder, polythene and halogen tablets.


CHANNEL FOR DELIVERY:

Detail of Airport facilities available:
Patna, Purnea, Bihiya and Darbhanga

CONTACT DETAILS:

Relief Commissioner's Office, Bihar:
91- 0612 - 225786 (Telefax)

State Control Room:
91 - 0612 - 226945 (Telephone)
0 - 9835216148 (Mobile)

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

  • UNDP Bihar Team
  • Central Water Commission, Bihar
  • Media Reports
  • Relief & Rehabilitation Department, GOB
  • Water Resources Department;
  • IMD Patna

ASSAM

NATURE OF THE DISASTER: Assam Flood

Heavy floods in Assam have affected 22 districts (out of the total 24 districts in the State). These districts are Dhemaji, Nalbari, Haillakandi, parts of Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Karimganj, Darrang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Morigaon, Golaghat, Sonitpur, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Naigaon, Barpeta, Karbi Anglong North Lakhimpur Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar. This flood has caused widespread damage to human life and property, standing crops, existing PWD, flood control embankments and other basic infrastructure. The total numbers of deaths occurred due to flood is 30.

Current situation:

The flood situation in all the districts of the state is improving as almost all the rivers are flowing below danger level.

The second wave of flood has extensively damaged the human habitation, standing crops, roads, bridges & embankments, irrigation system, water supply installation and other public institutions. Relief camps were opened to shelter the flood affected people in different places but with the improvement in the situation few of the camps have been closed.

Future threat: In the year 2002, 54 breaches on embankments occurred and prior to 2002, 129 breaches had occurred out of which only 54 minor breaches were closed and rest 129 minor and major breaches remain open. So as Assam experiences three to four waves of floods, so the next wave of flood (if any )may inundate vast areas and large scale damage.


AREA AFFECTED
No. of Districts affected 22
No. of villages affected 5030
No. of relief camps 425
Population affected 5.1 million
Total crop area affected 215154 hectares
Total area affected 683526 hectares
House damaged 3666 (Fully) and 1015 (Partially)
Loss of Lives 30

Damage Sector wise

Roads and transport:

As per the prelimainary reports of the Public Works Department (PWD) , 972 SPT bridges and 1383 roads covering an area of 3484 Kms have been affected and 63 breaches have occurred covering an area of 4891 Kms.

Name of the district
Total no of roads damaged
Total no of SPT/RCC bridge and approach damaged
Total road length damaged (Kms)
Barpetta
86
45
128
Bongaigoan
42
54
59
Cachar
94
68
297.84
Darrang
101
69
186
Dhemaji
15
20
75
Dhubri
14
10
85
Dibrugarh
43
23
45
Goalpara
37
30
73
Golaghat
23
11
60
Hailakandi
38
50
128
Jorhat
20
18
56
Kamrup
346
110
499
Karimganj
39
79
30
Kokrajhar
27
23
331
Lakhimpur
40
37
156
Morigaon
22
63
69
Nagaon
89
60
307
Nalbari
168
130
528
Sivsagar
49
19
145
Sonitpur
49
38
145
Tinsukia
41
15
82
Total
1383
972
3184.84

As per the PWD an approximate amount of Rs. 19714 lakhs would be required to restore the above damages. Severe bank erosion by rivers took place and so far 26 breaches and 3 cuts have been reported.

Transport Department: Major portions of the assets and properties of Inland Water Transport on river Brahmaputra and Barak have been damaged due to frequent rise and fall of water level of the rivers. Infrastructures like approach, ramp, jetty temporary shed, side office and staff quarter on the river ghat points, hull of the vessels/boats, mooring materials, life saving equipments to the worth of Rs. 11.75 crores have been damaged. The ferry services - one of the modes of transportation to the interior places have also been damaged and an amount of Rs. 11.75 crores is required to restore the ferry ghat points.

Health:

With water receding in many flood affected districts health is becoming a major issue of concern as most of the affected district are reporting sporadic as well as regular cases of diarrhoea, jaundice, dysentery, gastroenteritis and few case of water borne diseases. There have been deaths reported due to diarrhoea, dysentery and Japanese Encephalitis from Nalbari, Dhemaji and Nagaon district though similar health reports are awaited from other district as well. Health monitoring measures are being taken up along with sending field workers to different areas. District Administration is keeping a close watch over the situation and has been instructed by the State Revenue Department to regularly send health reports for surveillance.

Government measures on Health:

  • As flood is an annual event in the State Government had procured medicines well in advance for the common diseases. Medicines worth Rs. 7.10 crores were procured to deal with the situation. To prevent out break of any diseases, the health department is procuring medicines worth Rs. 2.5 crores.

  • The affected districts are being attended by doctors and paramedical staff in the affected districts. The people were treated in the places where they had taken shelter.

  • 5 lakh patients have been treated so far by the mobile teams in the affected districts.

  • A health check up camp was held in Namoni GP of Sisiboragoan Circle in Dhemaji district where 197 adults and 96 children were treated for various diseases

  • In Madhya GP of Sisiboargoan in Dhemaji district, 6943 adults and 1432 children have been treated and supported with medicines.

As per the media sources there is suspected cases of encephalitis and gastro outbreak being reported from Dibrugarh and Sivsagar districts, though official sources have yet to confirm it with. In Sivsagar district 30 cases of Encephalitis have been reported from Demow, Nitai-Panidihing, Desungmukh and Kowarpur Mauja villages out of which 11 persons have died so far. While in Dibrugarh district 15 persons have died so far due to Japanese Encephalitis and currently 100 persons are undergoing treatments due to this in different hospitals.

Animal Husbandry:

  • In the current flood 11,42,699 nos. of livestock that includes farm animals, cows, sheep, pigs and 15,43,794nos. of poultry have been affected. 108 cattle lost in the flood.

  • 39nos. of Government Veterinary Institutions in the state have been partially damaged.


Govt measures:

  • 410 nos. of veterinary, 16 nos. of para-veterinary staffs and 8 nos. of RVAs including permanent staff are attending the veterinary dispensaries and sub-centres regularly.

  • Medicines worth Rs.34, 63,108, 110 quintals of green fodder and 140 quintals of cattle feed have been supplied in the affected areas.

  • 8 veterinary camps opened and 51,480 nos. animals vaccinated.

  • In Dhemaji district (Sisiboargoan Circle- in 6 GPs) 5666 livestock were treated for diseases, 2113 livestock were vaccinated and 1044 hh were benefited


Fisheries:

In 4 districts, 5379 numbers of private ponds have been affected while a loss of 351.40 tonnes of fish has been incurred. Government Farms in 2 districts, have reported loss of 3.65 tonnes of fish due to the floods.

Agriculture :

A total estimated cultivation loss due to floods has been 3,98,126 hectares affecting crops like summer rice (Boro and E. Ahu), Regular Ahu, Winter Rice, Sali, Sugar cane in terms of Gur, Jute, and others. The chances of recovery is less, as high atmospheric temperature and humidity (85 -95 %) is enhancing the rotting process of the crops. The crops are also affected by different pest and diseases.

Mainly the small & marginal farmers (76%) are affected. The damage has been severe to the harvested and seedlings stage of crops.

ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES:

Gratuitous Relief Distribution

  • Rice: 45,880 qtls
  • Dal: 2,904 qtls
  • Salt: 1,267 qtls
  • Chira: 55 qtls
  • Gur: 1 qtl
  • M.Oil: 47 ltrs.


Operations /Mobilizations of Resources:

  • Polythene: 9,907 sheets & 31,590 meters.
  • Boats: 481 nos.
  • Fodder: 2685 qtls & 358 bags.
  • Tube wells: 278 nos.


NGO Coordination & Flood Review : State Level

Central Team led by the Union Minister for Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Minister of State, Water Resources visited the state for an aerial survey of the flood affected districts to assess the flood situation and extend assistance in the north-eastern states, particularly that of Assam. The team was briefed by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Commissioner about the flood scenario during this year. Minister DONER emphasized actions on three aspects as;

  • Emergency Food Relief;
  • Health & Medical;
  • Repair and restoration of flood control structures.

On the 26th, the state government has put forth before the central team of ministers the following things-
  • To consider flood and erosion problem in Assam as a national problem and has sought central government assistance for repair and restoration of school buildings, hospitals, dispensaries, sub-centres, public buildings, roads, bridges, embankments damaged in the ongoing flood.

  • To release 50,000 MT of food grains under SGRY special component for taking up wage employment schemes in flood affected areas,

  • Relaxation of CRF guidelines.

  • The Assam State Committee of Socialist Unity Centre for India (SUCI) and members of the Assam State Committee of the party visited South Salmara LAC areas of Dhubri District, worst-affected by flood and erosion obtained the following impressions from the local populace affected by the recent flood:

    Timely rescue operation; supply of sufficient relief material till the cultivators harvest their next crop; fodder for cattle heads; proper rehabilitation of the erosion victims by providing land for those who have become landless; supply of sheltering materials; seeds to the cultivators for their next crop; mobile medical facilities and sufficient baby food; Chalking out a permanent scientific scheme for controlling flood and erosion.

  • With regard to further intervention of LWS (I) is making arrangement to despatch the following supplies for distribution among the victims of washed out villages in Goalpara and Dhubri districts, including the items sent earlier.

- 1,08,000 packets of protein biscuits (BP 5 compact food - emergency ration) already sent

- Additional 400 nos of 20 sq.mtr size reinforced fabricated polythene roofing’s with strings and eye lids, totalling 5,400 pcs - 1,08,000 sq.mtr.

- 10,000 sets of children’s garments both boys and girls

- 10,000 woollen blankets and bed sheets

- 5,000 lungi

- 5,000 sari

- Total 5,00,000 water purification tablets

- 2,500 kgs of bleaching powder

- 5,000 kgs of lime dust

- Planning to Install 100 tube wells with raised platforms


GAP ANALYSIS:
Sector
Items Required
Provided
Balance Requirement
Housing: 4,681 houses damaged Polythene sheets / Tarpaulin, Bamboo 9,907 polythene sheets; 31,590 meters by GOA
1,629 tarpaulins by RVC in Dhemaji district
Polythene and Bamboo
Rescue and relief distribution Boats (Motor & Country) for relief distribution, rescue and communication. 483[mechanized, country, govt. and private boats] More rubber powerboat, country boats in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Morigaon and Goal Para districts.
Life jacket for volunteers involved in relief and rescue 45 Jackets 100 life Jackets in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Goalpara and Nalbari districts.
Drinking water: 9700 nos. of spot sources and 137 nos. of piped water supply schemes are damaged by flood Safe drinking water PHED disinfected 21,043 Tube well and Wells Halogen tab, mobile water purifiers, tube well at embankments, relief camps.
Bleaching powder PHED is providing 20 MT
Chemical (Mixture of Bleaching Powder, Alum and Lime) PHED distributed 167618 pkts. Of chemical mixtures
Tube well 278 nos. 30,000 tube wells for relief camps, embankments, roads, and shelter areas.
Sanitation: Sanitation facilities (toilets / phenyl / bleaching powder) (54 toilets by RVC and 17 toilets by WVI in Dhemaji district) Not adequate, urgent need for hygiene and sanitation requirements
Food Baby food / supplementary nutrition for the children/
Dry food for people in relief camps, marooned areas,
45,880 qtls of rice, 2,904 qtls. Of dal, 1,267 qtls of salt, 55 qtls. Of Chira, 1 qtls of gur and 47 ltrs of m. oil. Baby food required for more than 54 lakhs children for next three months.
Health ORS (Darrang, Sonitpur, Dhubri, Jorhat, Dibrugarh Existing stock in PHCs and District Headquarters 50,00,000 packets
Life saving drugs (Tinsukia, Nagaon, Sonitpur Dhubri, Jorhat, Dibrugarh districts) Available in PHC’s/(CASA) has provided required medicine to Karimganj dist. Anti Diarrhoeal’s
Doctors for inaccessible areas Dhemaji, Lakhimpur Darrang, Kamrup, Dhubri districts
Clothes Clothes 1000 pieces of Baby cloth, Saree, Lungi in Karimganj Children and Women
Education: Temporary school building and teachers. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Dhubri, Goalpara, Darrang districts
Agriculture: 2,01,847 lakh hac. Crop land affected Short duration crop seeds
Support for removal of silt.
Support for Pre-Rabi and Rabi
Alternative crop.
Livestock: 47 cattle lost and 11,42,669 livestock, 39 Govt. livestock institutions are damaged. Support for livestock / fodder for remaining animals affected; Vaccination Veterinary care. 410 nos. of veterinary and Para Veterinary staffs attending the Veterinary Dispensaries and Sub-centres in affected districts.
Rs.34,63,108/- to civil admn.
2685 qtls. And 358 fodder bags to flood affected areas.
Plenty of fodder required to the affected and marooned areas.
Veterinary doctors and mobile camps.

Achievements till date:

  • As informed by the Additional District Collector [floods], Dhemaji District that 3 islands which have been severely affected by this years flood, the model Community Resource Centers (CRC) are being effectively used by the community.

  • UNDP is supporting the State Government by placing at its disposal essential resources (Tarpaulin, Tube-well, Bamboo, Empty Cement Bags, Water Containers and Medicine Kits) through 50 Community Resource Centers in Dhemaji District within the reach of the most vulnerable people of the district so that they are able to respond to their immediate needs in the frequent flood and its vulnerability.

  • UNICEF has supported Government of Assam with 60MT of Alum, 25MT of Bleaching Powder, 1.5lakh ORS packets, and 4.5 million halogen tablets. Other medicines like Paracetamol and Co-trimoxazole have been being mobilized.

CHANNEL FOR DELIVERY:

Detail of Airport facilities available: There are six airports located at Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tejpur, Jorhat, Silchar & Lilabari in the state.

CONTACT DETAILS:

State Control Room, Assam:
91-361-2230493 (Telephone)

Revenue Commissioner’s Office, Assam:
91-361- 2262898 (Telephone)
91- 361 - 2261901(Fax)

Civil Society Control Room:
91-361-2605959 (Telefax)
0 - 9864014488 / 9864030880 (Mobile)

SOURCE OF INFORMATION

  • Govt. (State and District Administration, Assam); District Control Room
  • Media: Local and National news sources [electronic and print]
  • UNDP Team in Assam,
  • IMD Guwahati
  • Central Water Commission, Guwahati