India - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 3

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2003/0107
OCHA Situation Report No. 3
India - Floods
Starting on 13 June 2003

The following information was provided by the UNDP Office in New Delhi, the Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs, the IFRC, as well as media reports.

I. SITUATION

1. The first wave of floods began on 13 June, displaced 400,000 people, and then subsequently receded. A second wave of severe flooding began on Friday 27 June when the Brahmaputra River breached its banks at several places. Since then, continuous rain has caused the river systems in the States of Assam and Bihar to rise above the danger level, submerging hundreds of villages and causing widespread destruction to buildings, roadways, power facilities, crops, and wildlife. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee the rising floodwaters to take shelter in government buildings, relief camps, and makeshift shelters on higher ground and embankments.

2. The UNDP reported official sources as stating that at least 2.36 million people have been affected by the current floods. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, as of 14 July, 2953 villages in 20 districts in Assam have been hit by the floods. Official government sources also reported that a total of 7 people in Assam had been killed, although media sources report a much higher figure. As of 15 July, state officials reported that while the Brahmaputra River's water levels are falling, the river is flowing above the danger level in almost all areas.

3. The worst affected districts in Assam are Dhemaji, Nagoan, Hailakandi, Nalbari, Dhubri and Goalpara, in which an estimated 1742 villages have been flooded. As of 14 July, the UNDP reported that in the district of Goalpara alone, rising waters have affected more than 260,000 people in 452 villages. Impassible roadways and flooding have greatly impeded the ability of relief and medical workers' ability to access and assist those in need.

4. Most of the rivers in State of Bihar are also flowing above danger levels and are expected to rise. Thus far, official government sources stated that as of 14 July, the floods in Bihar have affected 6 districts, killing at least 8 people and damaging at least 326 villages.

5. The health situation in the flooded areas of both Assam and Bihar is particularly grim. Large numbers of people are suffering from water-borne diseases such as gastroenteritis, dysentery, jaundice malaria, and typhoid, although the situation has not assumed epidemic proportions. In flooded areas the wells have been submerged, making safe drinking water inaccessible.

II. NEEDS

6. The priority needs are health and water sanitation goods, including: tarpaulins, polythene sheets, tube wells, water purifying tablets, mosquito nets, medicine, chlorine and hydrogen tablets, bleaching powder, baby food, dry food, and utensils.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

7. The Federal Government is coordinating relief measures through the National Disaster Management Division of MHA at the central level and producing regular situation reports for both Assam and Bihar.

8. In Assam, army and civil authorities continue to evacuate people from the flood-affected areas to highland areas. The State Government of Assam is distributing relief items to affected populations and has opened numerous relief camps throughout the flooded regions. District authorities are using boats for rescue and relief operations. Mobile medical teams are using vans and boats to reach the most vulnerable populations.

9. Indian Red Cross volunteers are providing relief and rescue services to the marooned people. Platforms constructed by Red Cross are being used as relief shelters by flood affected families.

10. In Bihar, state authorities have allocated disaster response funds for rescue and relief to districts. The Bihar State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation has food in stock for distribution, and has requested additional supplies. Various government departments are monitoring the situation to ensure an appropriate response. The UNDP reported that as of 15 July the evacuation of stranded communities had only taken place in 2 districts, and that the relief operations had yet to begin.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

11. UNDP continues to provide the Assam State Government with relief items through its 50 Community Resource Centers in Dhemaji district, where health needs are critical. UNICEF will also be delivering relief items to Assam.

12. In Assam and Bihar, IFRC volunteers have been using rafts and boats to rescue stranded people and evacuate them to relief camps where they are given safe drinking water and warm meals.

13. In coordination with Assam State Government authorities, NGOs are carrying out relief activities in various affected areas. CASA and World Vision International are providing food and shelter items in Karimganj and Hailakandi districts in Assam, and Madhubani and Sitamarhi Districts in Bihar. Action Aid is assessing the situation in Dhemaji and Nalbari districts in support of relief activities in the affected areas. Lutheran World Service India is providing dry food, clothing, and mosquito nets in Dhubri and adjoining districts, and on 11 July issued a request for financial assistance to fund delivery costs for plastic sheets, food, and water & sanitation items to Goalpara, Assam. Catholic Relief Services partners are delivering clothes and medicine in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Tezpur districts. OXFAM is providing shelter and water sanitation to affected communities in Dhemaji.

14. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item.

15. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in India and will revert with further information as it becomes available.

16. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

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In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. Rudolf Müller/ Ms. Hannah Entwisle
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31/17 69

Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40