ACT Alert

India 1/06

Floods hit several Indian states

Geneva, 11 August 2006

Low pressure in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression, causing torrential rains in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. In addition, the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra have suffered widespread flooding following rains over the last weeks. Many lives have been lost—people have drowned, some still trapped in their cars, while others have succumbed to electrical shocks, or have been killed by landslides or by collapsing walls and houses. The floods have also caused widespread damage to property, standing crops, flood control embankments and other basic infrastructure. Thousands have lost their belongings in the swirling floodwaters and are facing a scarcity of food, drinking water, shelter and clothing. Those who have managed to escape to safety are currently deprived of the basic necessities of life. The loss to crops and livestock is massive. In addition, there is extensive damage to the general infrastructure, including that of the road and rail systems. A Reuters article posted on Reliefweb on 9 August reported that 4,5 million people have been driven from their homes.

In Andhra Pradesh, authorities have sought the help of the army to support the ongoing rescue operations along the low-lying areas of the River Godavari. Thousands of people have been left homeless. Though the rains have more or less stopped in Andhra Pradesh, the situation remains grim. The official government estimates are that 103,221 families were affected in 428 villages in the East Godavari district. 3,890 houses were completely damaged and 2,964 houses were partially damaged. Government figures put the death toll in the state due to the flooding at 106.

In Orissa, the flash floods have claimed nearly 100 lives. Some 1,000 cattle have been lost. Standing crops have been destroyed and some 3,000 houses damaged.

In Madhya Pradesh: Burahanpur, Jhabua, Khargon, Padawani and a several other districts have been affected by the floods. 36 people have died, 300 cattle were killed, 5,000 houses completely destroyed, agricultural lands spoiled and water pipelines damaged. People have been evacuated to temporary camps.

In Maharashtra heavy, incessant rains lashed the coastal state at the beginning of August 2006. More than 79 people have died and the toll continues to rise with every passing day. The authorities have put 178 villages on the banks of the River Godavari on high alert, as the water level has risen beyond the danger mark. People are being evacuated with the help of the army, navy and air force. In flood ravaged Sangli, where 12 people have reportedly died, more than 75,000 people were evacuated following floods in river Krishna. Initial reports indicate that at least 67,000 houses have been completely or partly damaged. The extent of the losses will only be assessed over the next few days, as the flood waters have not yet receded in Khammam, West Godavari and East Godavari districts.

In Gujarat heavy rains have continued to lash most of south and central Gujarat, resulting in the overflowing of many rivers and irrigation dams. By the beginning of the week, at least 41 people had died in incidents related to the heavy rains and the resultant floods. The fast flowing water of the Vishwamitra, surging through Vadodra City has entered several of the “slum” areas on its banks. In nearby Padra town, people were evacuated from housing colonies. According to the flood control authorities, about 25,000 people were being evacuated from an area along the Tapti River bank in Surat City and nearby villages following the rise in the water level. Surat and Vadodra cities and districts were the worst hit, due to heavy showers, with authorities warning of further heavy rains. It has been described as the worst flood ever in Surat. Water supply and water resources minister, Narrotam Patel, who is camping in Surat, said this was the worst flood the city had faced in two decades.

All three ACT members in India are assessing the needs following the floods. United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) has sent eight assessment teams to Orissa and parts of Andhra Pradesh and are waiting for their final reports. Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) is assessing the needs in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) has mobilised relief teams in Maharashtra and Gujarat and has sent assessment teams to Andhra Pradesh.

As all ACT members are in the process of assessing the situation, a RRF/Appeal is expected to be forthcoming.