This Annex includes information on South
Asia Floods: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal
From Francesco Strippoli, Senior Humanitarian
Adviser. Available on the Internet on the WFP Home, Page or by e-mail from
Zlatan.Milisic@wfp.org. For information on resources, donors are requested
to contact Aleesa.Blum@wfp.org or Marius.deGaayFortman@wfp.org at WFP Rome,
telephone 39 06 6513 2004 or 06 6513 2250. Media queries should be directed
to Trevor.Rowe@wfp.org telephone 39 06 6513 2602. The address of WFP is
Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy.
A) South Asia Floods: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal - information as of 11 August
a) The floods have seriously affected transport, communications, property and crops in several countries. Millions of people are left homeless or displaced, mainly in India. Roads and bridges throughout the region have been severely damaged or cut. Most recently, in some areas people have reportedly started to return to their villages. WFP teams are a part of UN missions which are traveling to flood effected areas do review the situation and carry out assessments.
1) India
a) The South West Monsoon caused floods in 11 states. Large parts of the country received excessive rainfall. Although the waters are receding at the moment, the river levels in Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal states are still over the danger mark. The worst affected states are Assam and Bihar. The official death toll caused by the floods is 426 persons. There is an acute problem of safe drinking water. Gastrointestinal diseases are expected to increase. The military have been involved in helping the affected population. State Government of Asam has asked for international assistance. WFP is trying to identify possible food for work projects that would mitigate the affects of the floods and provide emergency food rations to some of the affected population.
2) Bhutan
a) Due to heavy rains, several areas in the south along the border with India have been severely flooded. This is said to be the worst flood on record in Bhutan history. Phuentsholing and Pasakha are the most affected areas. The main water supply has been cut off, because the water pipes broke. The road between Phuntsholing and the capital Thimphu is closed. The implications of the road closure are already felt in Thimphu, with lack of fuel, food and other essential items. The Government is making all efforts to clear and repair the road. The communication between India and Bhutan was re-established on 9 August. Water supply is the worst reported problem and actions to intervene to prevent water-borne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid are urgently needed. The Bhutan Ministry of Finance has sent a letter to the United Nations, requesting USD 300,000 emergency assistance to meet the most immediate requirements. Indian Government is distributing water to the people of Phuntsholing, under Indo-Bhutan friendship relations.
3) Bangladesh
a) Several rivers have risen to dangerous levels, though their further raise has slowed down most recently. Road connections in some areas are cut, but the traffic via boat is being used as a substitution. Most people have remained in their home areas, since the floods are an annual event. The worst affected areas are Manikganj, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Faridpur, Sirajganj and Narayanganj districts. Of considerable concern to public health is the outbreak of Dengue Fever epidemic, reportedly of unprecedented dimensions with related losses of life already reported
4) Nepal
a) Landslides and floods triggered by incessant rains have caused damage to the eastern parts of the country. The worst affected area is Jhapa, located 290 km south-east of Kathmandu. Some 260 houses are underwater in this area.
(End Annex WFP Emergency Report No. 32 )