EFICOR plans to provide relief to 15,000 flood affected families in the states of Karnataka and AndhraPradesh.
Low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal caused heavy rains in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (A.P) since 30th Sept. 2009 resulting in a state of emergency in both the states. The flood situation has been reported to be the worst in decades, resulting in losses of homes, standing crops, and infrastructure worth over 220 billion Rupees (=A32.9 billion). In Karnataka, the death toll has risen to 194 ("The Hindu" dated 9th Oct, 2009) and more than 150,000 were staying in hundreds of state-run relief camps while hundreds more people sheltered in their relatives' places.
It has been reported in Andhra Pradesh, that 65 people have died and more than a million people had sought shelter in 100 relief camps. 17.5 Lakh people belonging to 571 villages in 5 districts have been affected by the floods. Thousands of army troops joined local government workers in placing sandbags to strengthen the embankments of the flooded Krishna River. The river runs through the town of Vijayawada, which is home to more than a million people.
The floodwaters have been receding on Thursday in both the states after a 48-hour halt in the rain. The state governments are now focusing on assessing the damage and ensuring that medical aid reached the displaced to prevent outbreak and spread of diseases. Aid workers were also distributing food and clean drinking water in the relief camps.
The Army has been deployed in Kurnool, Guntur and Krishna Districts of Andhra Pradesh and in Karwar District, Karnatak for rescue and relief. The head of India's ruling Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, conducted aerial surveys of the affected areas in both states and felt the situation was grim. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh's two days aerial survey in the both the states have begun today (9/10/09).
EFICOR project staff based in Bhadrachalam (Koya field) and local church groups assessed the damages in Raichur, Bellary, Kurnool and Krishna Districts for appropriate response. EFICOR plans to respond to the emergency in four districts -in Karnataka (Raichur and Bellary Districts) and in Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool and Krishna Districts).
EFICOR plans to raise Rs.2.70 crores from its partners, churches, and supporters to provide relief (food and non-food materials) to 15000 families.