India: Floods - Jul 1993
Disaster description
Unusually heavy monsoon rains since 7 July 1993 have caused widespread flooding in northern states of India, with Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh being hardest hit. Flash floods, landslides, overflow of rivers and irrigation canals have inflicted a high death toll and severe damage to housing, agriculture and infrastructure. Several areas remain isolated from the rest of the country as transport and communication links have been cut. According to unconfirmed preliminary reports the death toll reached 178 as of 13 July 1993. It is estimated that in Punjab about 10 million people, i.e. approximately half of the population are affected. (UN DHA, 16 Jul 1993)
Several states in India continue to remain affected by heavy rains and waves of floods. A total of 489 deaths have been reported in the states of Punjab (271), Gujarat (94), Himachal Pradesh (42), Haryana (36), Jammu and Kashmir (20), Rajasthan (19), Madhya Pradesh (6) and Chandigarh (1). Three days of torrential rain flooded vast stretches in western assam and Jalpaiguri town in West Bengal. North-eastern areas remain cut off as road/rail links are inundated with water and bridges have been washed away or flooded. Drinking water supply disrupted in many locations due to flooding of pumping stations. Millions of people had to take refuge in emergency camps in Punjab and the north-east. More than 10,000 cattle heads reported lost in Punjab (5,752) Himachal Pradesh (4,600), Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. (UN DHA, 23 Jul 1993)
Overall conditions in northern region have further improved, with fall in levels of major rivers, while relief measures continue in flood-affected areas. Press reports highest death toll of 323 in Punjab, 50 in Haryana, 47 in Himachal Pradesh, 2 in Chandigarh, about 200 in West Bengal, 117 in Gujarat, 39 in Jammu and Kashmir, 24 in assam, 19 in Rajasthan and 6 in Madhya Pradesh. Total 827. Est. Total population affected is over 128 million people. First assessment of overall damage to crops, housing and public utilities is over USD 700 million. (UN DHA, 30 Jul 1993)