Floods in Assam, Orissa and West Bengal States

Heavy and incessant rainfall since June 16, 2008 has flooded many areas in the eastern states of Assam, Orissa and West Bengal leaving some 93 people dead and close to 2.7 million people affected.

More than 1.5 million people have been displaced to relief camps set up by the government. The military is carrying out rescue operations in many of the affected areas and transporting people to higher ground and to the relief camps.

Rail and road transportation routes are severely affected in the three states, as well as the other neighbouring states in north east India.

Assam

Some 27 people are feared dead with more than 308,995 people reported to have been affected in the state of Assam. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur are the worst hit districts with over 348 villages affected by the floods.

Fourteen relief camps have been set up in the affected districts accommodating close to 20,000 people. ACT member, Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), reports that more than 100,000 people are living in unofficial camps.

Many villages are cut-off from the mainland as road and rail routes in affected areas are submerged. The military has been called in to carry out rescue operations and has also to setup bailey bridges to restore access to the worst affected areas.

Orissa

Close to 1.275 million people have been affected due to flooding in the state of Orissa.

Worst-hit districts include Balasore, Bhadarak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj with more than 1,526 villages affected. The state has requested the Indian Air Force to airdrop food and other essential items in some areas as they are cut-off by flood waters.

The India country programme of ACT member, Lutheran World Federation (LWF), reported that 75 percent of villages in Balasore were underwater. Flood waters have also submerged thousands of acres of land, disrupted electricity, and transportation by road and rail in many districts of Orissa. In one area, hundreds of people were found camping on the highway.

West Bengal

Close to 3.2 million people have been reported to be affected by the floods in the state of West Bengal. A record 70cm rainfall was recorded in West Midnapore district, causing flash floods in many areas.

East and West Midnapore districts have been reported as worst affected and the military is carrying out rescue operations in the affected districts.

CASA reports that close to 1,000 mud houses were completely washed away and about 2,500 houses were reported as badly damaged in the flash floods in one area.

ACT response

LWF reports that it was already present with activities in the Sabang block of West Midnapore supported by ACT appeal ASIN72 for last year's monsoon floods.

LWF had some stocks of rice and pulses in the Sabang block of West Midnapore and the Jaleswar block of Balasore and is establishing community kitchens for 2,000 families. LWF reports that people in these areas are suffering from an acute food crisis.

CASA is developing plans to assist close to 6,000 families.

Both LWF and CASA plan to submit a request to the ACT Coordinating Office for support from the ACT Rapid Response Fund. An ACT appeal proposal is also expected in the coming days.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).