IRCS Consortium for HIV Program
26th September 2007

Fresh spell of heavy rains and floods in the States of Orissa, West Bengal, Karnataka and Bihar has caused a wide spread destruction. 24 human deaths have been reported during the last 24 hours.

In Orissa, the Districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara have been severely affected. Due to rise in the water level of rivers Subarnarekha, Burhabalang and Baitarni in Balasore and Bhadrak Districts, several low lying villages are reported to have been inundated.

In West Bengal, about 3, 16, 170 people in 7901 villages are reported to have been affected in the Districts of Howarah, Hoogli, Burdwan, Paschim & Poorva Medinipur, North & South 24 Pargana, Nadia and Mushidabad. 95 relief camps have been opened in above affected Districts in which about 6730 people are accommodated.

In Karnataka, 204 villages are affected and 47382 houses have been damaged due to fresh spell of heavy rainfall in the State.

In Bihar, five human deaths have been reported in the State during the last 24 hours. Due to fresh spell of heavy rainfall, rail and road communications are disrupted in Patna.

National Headquarters and State Branch Action

The task force at the National Headquarters is closely monitoring the situation and is in regular contact with the flood affected State branches.

For Orissa the National Headquarters has released relief items such as dhotis (3000), sarees (3000), towels (3000), bed sheets (3000), cotton blankets (3000), mosquito nets (3000), kitchen sets (3000), plastic buckets (3000) and tarpaulin (3000) amounting to Rs. 49, 59, 000. Two Watsan Units have also been mobilized to provide safe drinking water in Balasore and Bhadari Districts.

The Orissa State branch has mobilized 2000 volunteers and deployed eleven State Disaster Response Team members (SDRT) in the flood affected Districts. The distribution of relief items is going on

The West Bengal State Red Cross branch has deployed seven SDRT members in the affected Districts and is awaiting for the damage assessment reports from them.

The Karnataka State Red Cross branch has collected reports from the affected Districts and will soon be carrying out the relief action.

The Bihar State Red Cross branch is awaiting for the damage assessment reports from the affected Districts.

Source of Information on the extent of damage caused due to floods: Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management Division) as of September 25th, 2007