Floods in Assam, Orissa & West Bengal

Appeal: ASIN83 | India floods | CLOSED

ACT member staff distributes food aid at the CASA food programme in Orissa, India.
PHOTO: CASA/ACT International

Early monsoon rains along with a heavy depression over the Bay Bengal caused continuous and heavy rains from 16 to 20 June in Assam, West Bengal and Orissa, leading to a significant rise in the water levels of all major rivers in the region. Rivers breached embankments and flooded large parts of the coastal districts of the three states. Raging flood waters washed away interstate highways, bridges and railway lines and disrupted road and rail communications in many places.

More than 3.4 million people of Orissa and West Bengal alone have been affected. Normal economic activities have been disrupted. Crops planted early in the season with onset of the monsoons, have been destroyed along with paddy seedlings in seedbeds ready for transplantation.

Many thousands people have taken shelter in temporary relief camps. Conditions are appalling since people are not being provided with basic necessities. Most of the people could not carry food or clothing with them during evacuation and are dependent on assistance from the government and/or other agencies.

The flood waters have destroyed or damaged many mud houses. Repair or reconstruction of these houses will not be possible on account of the continuing monsoon rains which aggravate the flood situation. As a consequence, a large number of families will have to spend the entire monsoon season in damaged houses or under temporary shelter. Safe drinking water is not available and health, hygiene and sanitation are serious concerns.

People belonging to the marginalized sections are the worst affected, having no resources to fall back on.

Two of the ACT members in India, Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) and the Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) are proposing emergency relief in their operational areas comprising: ready to eat food, dry rations, temporary shelter materials (plastic sheeting) non-food items and some livelihood support in the form of rice seeds.

Signed by:
John Nduna - Director

ACT Alliance - Action by Churches Together is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working together for positive and sustainable change in the lives of people affected by emergencies, poverty and injustice through coordinated and effective humanitarian, development and advocacy work.