India floods: Orissa and West Bengal

Information provided by the Lutheran World Service India (LWSI)

July 10, 2007

Flood situation

A deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal and moved along the east coast of India, bringing incessant and torrential rain for four consecutive days from July 2-7, 2007, in the states of West Bengal and Orissa. The rains resulted in devastating floods in both the states.

West Bengal

Three districts of West Bengal have been severely affected by floods with West Midnapore being the worst hit. Several villages are submerged under 3-12 feet floodwater while heavy waterlogging brought life to a standstill even in the city of Kolkata.

In West Midnapore district itself, the death toll has gone up to 38. Over 4.7 million people in West Bengal have been affected and more than 51,000 people have taken shelter in 361 relief camps. 

Several government dignatories have visited the flood affected areas in West Bengal and dry food assistance has been initiated by the government. Food packets are being air dropped by the Indian air force, and the army has been called for rescue and evacuation operations. The government is planning to send tarpaulin sheets as well.

Voluntary agencies are monitoring the situation closely but have not yet intervened with any significant assistance.

Orissa

Breaches in embankments of rivers resulted in water overflowing and rushing into agricultural fields destroying standing crops and covering the cultivable land with sand. Mud houses have been damaged or completely washed away. Families have moved to higher places and taken refuge in school buildings or individuals’ residences. As people could not carry much with them, they are in immediate need of food, medicines, clothing and shelter. Baby food and fodder are also necessary. 

While Balasore is the worst hit, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts have also been severely affected by the devastating floods.  More than 5.5 million people from 1,000 villages are affected in Balasore and tens of thousands of cattle have died. Altogether 9 million people are reported to be affected in Orissa.

The UNDP team leader, on behalf of the Orissa Government, has requested LWSI to immediately mobilize roofing materials for temporary shelter and family relief kits.

Dry food distribution has been started and wherever feasible free kitchens are being run.

The need of the hour seems to be:

LWSI joined the Inter Agency Group joint assessment in West Bengal and Orissa and is part of the regular NGO coordination meetings.

In both states, the respective state governments have put its departments on high alert. Though steps have been taken by government authorities to provide immediate relief, millions are still not reached.

Barring Jajpur and Keojhar districts in Orissa, the other flood affected districts are not within LWSI’s  present operational areas. In the case of West Bengal, LWSI concluded its tubewell sinking programme in the severely affected West Midnapore district in December 2006. LWSI maintains good relation with government authorities at different levels and is presently collecting updates on the situation.

Based on the report from the assessment teams and field project staff, LWSI is planning to distribute temporary roofing materials and family relief kits of clothing to 5,000 affected families in each of the states of West Bengal and Orissa. It also plans to distribute 500,000 water purification (Halogen) tablets.

Further assistance will be determined in due course subject to the situation and immediate unmet needs of the flood affected people.