Nature and Location: Monsoon floods, predominantly Orissa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir (also drought)
1. General situation update
India's annual monsoon rains continued to create havoc across the country leaving more than 300 people dead and over 1 million more marooned or displaced as rivers flooded low-lying areas. Heavy rain, along with flooding and landslides, was reported from western Gujarat, eastern Orissa, northern Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh states. The death toll in Gujarat touched 163 and several areas, including the state's principal city Ahmedabad, were placed on alert as overflowing dams were forced to release flood waters. The rain waters were receding in Rajasthan where reports said four children drowned while bathing in swollen ponds in two separate incidents on Monday. Five people died in flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir and another four in similar incidents in Himachal Pradesh. Nine people died in Orissa, where more than 1,000 villages were marooned, affecting a population of more than 800,000. Several thousand people were still living in temporary shelters in Rajsthan and eastern West Bengal states as their villages remained cut off by floodwaters. (From Deutsche Press Agentur, 10 July)
Orissa - In north Orissa, Subarnrekha River is flowing in a rising spate and has flooded about 25 villages of Balasore district affecting around 100,000 people. Breaches have developed along embankments of rivers Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Budhabalanga. The affected districts include Balasore, Jaipur, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundergarh. The state administration is monitoring the situation and ODRAF teams have been deployed in Balasore, Jaleswar and Bhograi Blocks to conduct relief and rescue operations.
Rajasthan - Due to heavy rainfall flash floods have been reported from Jodhpur, Nagpur, Sirohi, Barmer, and Pali districts. Western districts are partially affected. Jashwantsagar Dam near Bilada has developed breaches along its embankments. In addition to rescuing 104 persons, 22 in Barmer, 43 in Pali districts and from Baytu and Balotra villages persons were rescued. The administration has air lifted food items.
West Bengal - North & South 24 Pargan, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura, Puruliya, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur districts including 73 blocks are affected. 33 deaths have been reported. The district administration has opened 361 relief camps to house 51,141 persons and 32,733 persons have been evacuated. (From UNDP Situation Update, 9 July)
Jammu & Kashmir - One village in Leh District has been severely affected by localised flooding. In Jammu approximately 1,200 houses have been damaged or lost and 5,000 people displaced due to flooding in 8 blocks. Floods in the first week of July in Rajouri District affected four blocks leading to 70 houses fully collapsed and 196 partially collapsed. Assessments from our local partner, KDP in Kargil District of Ladakh division, show 5 Blocks severely affected by drought.
Requests for UN and NGO support have been received from the State Governments of West Bengal and Orissa. The situation in the south (Tamil Nadu and other areas of SC TRP) remains stable.