Incessant rains over Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland since the last week of June have caused serious flooding, surpassing all previous records in terms of damage to infrastructure, livestock, crops and other property and assets in Assam and Bihar.

In Assam 23 out of 28 districts have been affected by floods so far. Vast areas are under water and people have taken shelter on the embankments. Altogether 58 breaches of embankments have taken place since April 2004 of which 24 major breaches during the month of July 2004 only. There is a further threat along the embankment of the River Brahmaputra and its tributaries as the water level continues to rise and is flowing above the danger level.

Communication has been disrupted in the State particularly in Lower Assam as flood waters have submerged National Highway –31 (NH-31) and other State roads in many places.

In Bihar, continuous rain for the last week and rising water levels of major rivers has caused severe flooding. The armed forces have stepped in to augment relief and rescue operations, while the rain–fed rivers have created havoc in eight districts.

The floods have also caused widespread damage to human life and property, standing crops, flood control embankments and other basic infrastructure. Thousands have lost their belongings in the swirling flood waters and are faced with scarcity of shelter, food and clothing. The extent of the damage will only become clear after the flood waters have receded and people can return to their villages.

ACT members Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) and Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) have started their response and are continuing to carry out assessment of needs. CASA proposes to assist the most vulnerable in six severely affected areas in Assam and Bihar by providing dry rations, plastic sheets, clothing, blankets and sanitary articles. They also plan to construct four flood shelters in Assam which suffers severe flooding every year. LWSI has started a crisis response which has been included herewith. They are currently putting together the final proposal for assistance in their operational areas, and this appeal will be revised shortly to include that proposal.

Project Completion Date:

18 July 2005

Signed by:
Jessie Kgoroeadira
Acting Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office