FLOOD – 2008
ORISSA
(Baliapal Block of Balasore District)
Incessant rain over the past week has flooded large parts of Northern parts of Orissa. The Baliapal block of Balasore district affected very badly with at least 2 persons dead and more than 100,000 people displaced. The state has requested the Indian Air Force to air drop food and essential stuff in Balasore. The turbulent waters of Jalaka breached 40 ft length NH – 60 near Rupsa cutting – off four blocks, namely, Bhogarai, Basta, Balasore and Baliapal in Balasore from the district headquarter town. The entire northern part of Balasore has been cut off from rest of the country.
BENEFITS FROM LAST PROGRAMME INTERVENTION IN BALESWAR DSITRICT, ORISSA
“People are living safely due to last flood rehabilitation programme.”
CASA has completed just 3 months and 6 days of before the intervention in the flood affected areas of Baliapal block in Balasore district. The work was undertaken in 10 Gram Panchayats of Baliapal block. Four high raised platforms were constructed on different strategic locations to save the life of vulnerable villagers at time of flood related disaster. The area now fully submerged under water and the villagers from the local community have taken shelter on these high raised platforms along with their livestock. It is difficult now to reach to the HRP points from outside the area for taking photographs but there is regular communication with the DMTF members of these villages. The Secretary of the Disaster Mitigation Task Group at Talapada village informed CASA that, more than 300 villagers with their livestock have taken shelter on the HRP at Talapada. The flood affected villagers of Kdamansingh village have encountered problem in reaching the HRP due to the high current of flood water between the village and HRP. By the help of the rescue team of disaster mitigation task force and with many difficulties about 100 people managed to reach on the HRP. The condition of Govindpur village is not less than the other sites. The village is totally submerged under water. More than 200 people with approximately 300 cattle have taken shelter on the HRP. More than 100 people with their livestock have taken shelter on Dhnada HRP. The affected villagers, who have taken shelter on the HRPs are now facing problem due to incessant rain in the area. Whatever food item they could carry with them to the shelters is the only source of food at present.
The team members of CASA are regularly attending the co-ordination meeting organized by OSDMA and IAG at Bhubaneswar and the co-ordination meeting at Balasore. In these meetings CASA Staff have informed the authorities about the availability and location of HRPs so that air dropping could be made possible on those points. More than 200 task force members are working voluntarily in different activities in the area.
Through the project support, 275 Shelters were constructed in the 10 grampanchayats in Baliapal block. Almost entire block area is now submerged under flood water. The water level this time has gone up to 4ft whereas the height of the water during last flood was 3ft. The shelters constructed by CASA / DCA / ECHO are having 4ft high foundation and till now we have no report on either the submerging or collapse of any new shelter in the area. However, due to heavy rain and strong wind, the clay from the outside walls of some shelters has washed away. There are reports that even neighbors form damages houses have also taken shelter in some of the new houses.
It is not possible at present to assess the status of the livelihood interventions in the area. But in the month of April when CASA Team visited the area with the ECHO Mission team after harvest that there were sufficient food grains available with each and every beneficiary.
No doubt the effort of last flood rehabilitation programme saved the life of many during this flood situation.
ROLE OF THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Baliapal block of Balasore district itself has created a significant position in the disaster map of Orissa. By realizing this, CASA has intensified its disaster preparedness effort in this block in order to help the community to save their own lives at the time of any disaster. The disaster mitigation task force members (DMTF) have been proving their skilled service since last disaster as well as in this flood also. Under the ongoing CBDP programmes the task force members (trained by CASA) are present in Nikhira and Deobhog Panchayats. These two Gram Panchayats have 15 villages and 21,000 populations. All the villages’ areas are now fully submerged under water. Ninety (90) individuals are working as the task force members in these 15 villages. In the old catchments areas of Talpada, Jamkunda and Dogara 100 task force members are working day and night in order to help the people either for arranging food or rescue.
The area is now totally cut off from the district headquarters. The road communication is completely disrupted and even the state authority is seeking the help of the army. In the marooned areas, the task force members are taking initiative to start free kitchen with the available resources as early as possible.
Possible areas for interventions.
As the area now submerged under water and there is acute crisis of food, drinking water, sanitation problem and it will continue for few more days. Their houses are submerged under water. In this context food relief assistance will be appropriate. Free kitchen with the help of task force members may be started immediately. This could be followed by distribution of CASA’s family relief packets along with dry food.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Assam
Morigaon, where CASA did extensive Disaster Preparedness activities under DCA/ECHO support 2007-2008
Note:
Part of Disaster Preparedness programme 6 High Raised Platforms in strategic locations, 100 shelters were constructed. No Disaster Preparedness programmes through training of village Task Force with emergency rescue and relief equipments were provided.
In earlier phase CASA constructed 6 Multipurpose Disaster Shelters, 5 High Raised Platform and 11 Task Force with rescue equipments including boats were provided. The Task Force in all the locations is in readiness for action in case of any serious flood in the district.
As of today the 20th June, 2008, there is no news of major flood in the district of Morigaon.
People from vulnerable areas of Lahorighat and Bhurbandha blocks are moving towards safe and high areas. There is threat of continuous erosion of river bank in the two blocks.
18 families from Pabokati gaon in Lahorighat block are taking shelter in the road side.
So far there is no news of any NGO doing emergency activities in the district, a local NGO called Morigaon Mahila Mahefil is doing some preparedness activities including public health promotion programme, capacity building on disaster preparedness.
Other voluntary organizations such as GOLD and GUIDE who are based at Morigaon have not taken up on any flood emergency programme.
We have requested for regular flood situation updates from our network partners and Village Development Committees.
SITREP Collected from IAG Source1. Situation: Flash Floods in Lakhimpur, Red Alert in Assam.
2. Cause: Continuous Rain leading to breach in bunds of Ranganadi Hydel Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Effected Districts: Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur
4. Loss of Life: 11 as per news paper reports
5. People affected:
· Displaced: Over 4000.
· Affected: Over 700,000 in 700 villages
6. Rescue Operations: Continues by NDRF, Army and UNDP DRM Volunteers.
7. Damage and Need Assessment: Govt Data Awaited.
· Some Rapid Assessment by CASA, CRS, IGSSS, TSSS, RVC partners in their affected areas.
· RVC forwarded Rapid Assessment Forms of Village Bihpuria and Naoboicha of Lakhimpur district. RAF Forms attached
· IAG Assam recommended launching IAG assessment team.
8. Response:
· District Administration distributed one day rice and molasses in affected villages.
9. Coordination:
· Formal IAG coordination to start.
· IGSSS secretariat for coordination to recruit a coordinator.
CASA Rapid Flood Assessment Team
Mr. Pradip Surin is in Lakhimpur town and has met the Deputy Commissioner.
(Please see the report below, received from Mr Pradip Surin of CASA from Lakhimpur)
IAG Response so far
IGSSS have surveyed the following villages in Lakhimpur for emergency responses,
- Usani Khati Gaon
- Usani Pahu Mara
- Boalguri
- Bogalijan
- Naoboicha
- Rangchalie
Data Collected by CASA Flood Rapid Assessment Team headed by Mr. Pradip Surin, Field Office-Assam
SITREP of Lakhimpur District as of 20th June 2008
CASA team has visited 5 villages i.e Deubil, Angerkhuwa, Rangsali, Panigaon and Alengmari. The people of these villages are taking shelter on the gravel road with their livestock. CASA team has visited Deputy Commissioner’s office and met Mr. Ranjan Kr. Borah, District Project Officer, Goi-UNDP. They have assured CASA to provide possible support to take up any activities in the district.
The flood situation of Lakhimpur District remains unchanged. Due to continuous rain the water level of river Brahmaputra and the tributaries are rising. The Lakhimpur and Dhemaji are totally cut off with the rest of the country since last seven days due to breach of National High Way No. 52 near Ganesh Mandir in Lakhimpur town.
Statistics of Lakhimpur District
No. of village affected: 240 till June 19, 2008
Population Affected: 2,13,255
Area Affected: 45,700.66 hectares
Damage to crop:
1. Area (in hecter): 30,690
2. Value (in Rs.): 7,95,250 (as per official source)
Human life lost: 24 till 19th June 2008
Cattle live lost: 3865 nos.
No. of relief camp set up by administration: 34 nos.
No. of person taking shelter in the relief camp: 200,000
Government support:
The District administration has provided the following assistance to the flood victims;
1. Rice: 6334.78 Qtls
2. Dal: 890.07 Qtls
3. Salt: 312.09 Qtls
4. Gur: 6 Qtls
5. Chira: 45 Qtls
6. Hand tube wells: 1300 nos
7. Tarpaulin: 1650 nos.
Plight of the people of the district:
There is a tremendous shortage of LPG gas cylinder, fuel, firewood and food commodities due to the breach of NH 52.
Safe drinking water is another problem in the district.
NGOs intervention till date
Till date the flood affected communities is not getting any support from the NGOs. As per official source the NGOs are still involve in survey work. Some of the local sangthas (societies) have been providing food and drinking water to the flood affected people.
Conclusion
The continuous rainfall in the district is attracting more floods in the district.
Coordination Possibilities
1. The Lakhimpur Baptist Association
In charge- Dr. S. B. Pando,
Executive Secretary
Lakhimpur Mission Compound
Phone: 94350-85031
2. District Community Development Programme (DCDP)
Incharge – Mr. Kretofil Bhengra-CEO
Bheluadange, Sontipur, Assam
Phone: 94351-92532
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
West Bengal Flood situation grim in Bengal
Flood situation in West Bengal has worsened as heavy rain lashes several parts in the region leaving nearly 2.7 million people marooned. Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in parts of West Bengal, causing loss to life and property and disrupting normal life. The rain has brought miseries for people as they complain of government's inefficiency in dealing with the flood situation. “There is no aid coming to people since morning. People are forced to sit on the trees as houses are under water. The situation is appalling but there is no sign of aid from the administration side.
The area received a record rainfall of 700 mm within one week and has affected hundreds of thousands of people. Experts said that a depression in the Bay of Bengal has caused the floods.
The official report suggest atleast 33 persons have been died so far in East and West Midnapore districts of the state. In West & East Midnapore alone, about 60,000 mud houses were fully destroyed and about 70,000 partially damaged.
Authorities said that the rescue operations have started and 55 speedboats have been deployed in several areas. More are on the way. They have sought use of air force helicopters to ensure food supplies in the affected areas, besides deploying the Army for rescue work.
“All mud houses have been swept away and concrete houses are also under water. The situation has turned grave and people are facing problems related to drinking water and food. The hand pumps are under water. Immediate action is taken to provide help to the victims affected by flood. Food will be airlifted for the affected people from today," said Mr Kiranmoy Nanda, Minister for fisheries, West Bengal.
Sabang, Pingla, Narayangrah and Debra in West Midnapore district and Panskura, Moyna, Kantai, Kheguri and Pataspur in East Midnapur district are the worst affected. Road links have been cut off due to flooding of Keleghai and the Subaranarekha rivers. River embankments have been breached at various places.
The state government has opened 300 temporary relief camps where about 51,505 people have been sheltered in 84 rescue shelter. Thousands of people were yet to be rescued, 55 boats from civil defense reached the district, but those could not be used due to mechanical snag.
However, the army was continuing the rescue work with six boats. The air force also dropped food packets to marooned people in affected areas on Thursday afternoon.
As the water of Subarnarekha was rising menacingly, the district administration feared more inundation in the night. Vast areas had already been submerged by Shilabati and Chumi rivers,
Till today 18 bodies were recovered from the rivers — Keleghai and Kansai — the situation became worse after water was released from the Subarnarekha barrage by the Jharkhand government.
In Kolkata, state Civil Defense Minister Srikumar Mukherjee said 15 additional high speed boats have sent to the flood-hit areas of East and West Midnapore districts for relief work. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held a meeting with cabinet colleagues and top officials and asked them to take steps for the succor of flood-hit people.
(Please see the attached report in detail as received from a local organization called KJKS from Contai, Purbo Medinipur as on 21st June 2008).
|
