Emergency Situation:

A deep depression that was formed over the Bay of Bengal developed into a cyclone and hit the state of West Bengal on the 25th of May 2009. The speed of the wind at some points were recorded at 120 kmph against the normal wind speeds of 10-15 kmph in Kolkata. The winds led to the death of at least 100 people in West Bengal (CNN-IBN dt 28/05/09). The highest number of deaths occurred in South 24 Parganas district followed by areas in North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Birbhum, Bankura and Malda. Over 4.6 million people were affected in Calcutta, North and South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and East Midnapore.

Roads were blocked by uprooted trees, public transport collapsed, the airport suspended flights and several trains got delayed by power outages. The city of Kolkata found itself totally immobile. Several offices declared a holiday after lunch hour on 25th May. Initial estimates indicated that about 1,200 trees fell in Kolkata in just three hours on Monday (25th May). However, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has so far been able to remove only 400 trees.

The areas and districts affected by the cyclone in West Bengal include East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan, South 24 Parganas and Kolkata.

Aila has also led to the death of 26 people in the hilly areas of Darjeeling due to landslides triggered by the cyclone. The metrological department has also reported that the cyclone has accelerated the advance of monsoon by 14 days.

Actions to Date & Emergency Needs

Two columns of army, one each in Sandeshkhali and Kultali of North and South 24 Parganas districts respectively, have been called in to carry out rescue and relief operations. Six more army columns have been kept on standby. Two MI-17 helicopters were air-dropping food packets in the worst affected areas North and South 24 Parganas districts.

Preliminary reports indicate, that the mud/thatched houses were blown away by the winds and heavy rains in South 24 Parganas. Around 152,000 houses have collapsed, and 89,000 more partially damaged, while 500 km of embankment got breached nearly 800,000 people in the district. The affected people have taken shelter in school buildings and other permanent structures.

Putrid smell of animal carcasses have filled the air, and saline water from the sea got mixed with river water to inundate villages, leading to a serious drinking water crisis in Patharpratima, Gosaba, Roydighi, Kultali, Namkhana Kakdweep, Sagar and Basanti blocks in Sundarbans.

The details of the worst affected blocks and panchayats in South 24 Parganas district based on preliminary assessment are as given in the table below:

Preliminary assessment indicates, that there is immediate need for the following items:
- Ready to eat food
- Plastic sheets for immediate temporary shelter
- Basic household articles such as clothing, blankets, utensils and other articles of daily use.

CASA RESPONSE

CASA is targeting to provide relief assistance to 10,000 affected families in West Bengal focusing the worst affected district of South 24 Parganas including Sunderban areas.

The following activities have already been initiated in the district of South 24 Parganas and Sunderban areas:

1)     Feeding Programme: A sum of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rupees Five Lakh only) has been immediately released for providing cooked food in relief camps and other affected areas of West Bengal.

2)     Ready to eat food : 4000 affected families are being provided with Ready to Eat food comprising of Flattened Rice (5Kg each) and Jaggery (1kg each). Ready to eat food is being provided in areas where cooked food is not being provided.

3)     Temporary Shelter:  4000 affected families are being provided with Plastic Sheets for temporary shelter.

4)     Relief Sets: 2000 affected families are being provided with relief materials comprising of 1 woolen blanket, 1 sari (women’s apparel), 1 dhoti (men’s apparel) and a set of utensils.