With rainfall slowly decreasing and water
levels receding, World Vision has been able to continue its relief efforts
after two days of resurgent rain.
News sources are reporting that the
financial losses in Mumbai are somewhere between US$690 to US$880 million.
However, assessments in the country's financial capital could make this
figure even higher.
"We have just begun assessing the impact of the floods in the slum communities," said Biju Abraham, World Vision India's program manager in Mumbai.
Rains forced World Vision to suspend its relief work earlier in the week, as people again fled the rising floodwaters. People are now returning to their homes, allowing World Vision to re-commence its food distributions.
"Now that they are back we have started cooked food distribution which is the need of the hour. Also medical camps as many children are suffering with cold and fever that are due to the rains," said Biju Abraham.
World Vision provided cooked food to 5,000 people in six slum communities and medical camps were organized in two locations. Several teams are also conducting assessments to create a response plan to reach out to the most needy people.
A core relief team has been formed to coordinate World Vision's response to the floods. Staff from nearby programs have also been mobilised to provide support.
Meanwhile, in the city of Pune, World Vision staff have braved the rains to distribute food to 500 people in the slum of Shantinagar.
Report from Reena Samuel - WV India Communications Officer
For more information on World Vision International visit http://www.wvi.org , or contact us at newsvision@wvi.org