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Alert

India -

Incessant rains lash northern Andhra Pradesh

Geneva, 24 July 2013

1. Brief description of the emergency and impact:

Incessant rains continue to lash northern Andhra Pradesh causing rivers to overflow inundating low-lying areas. About 100 villages in three mandals of district (north western AP) were cut off as roads and bridges came under flood water. Rivers are also receiving heavy inflows due to discharges from dams in upstream and traffic between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra was disrupted due to the Penganga River overflowing its banks in . The is also flowing well above the danger level in Bhadrachalam in district and at Dhowaleswaram in . Currently more than 300 villages in 12 mandals in Bhadrachalam and Palvancha divisions are still inundated by flood waters. More than 20,000 people from marooned areas have been evacuated to 100 relief camps opened by the state authorities.

Authorities have already issued a third warning about the floods and cautioned the people living in low lying areas to vacate their houses and take shelter in safe places. In view of the flooding and forecast of further rains, authorities have released more than 1.6 million cusec of water into the Bay of Bengal.

The heavy rains and floods have so far claimed 18 lives, disrupted road transport and damaged over thousands of acres of standing crops in six districts according to official reports. As at 22 July 300 flood affected villages were without electricity for the third consecutive day. There are also rising health concerns as there has been an increase in the cases of malaria in some of the flood affected areas.

2. Why is an ACT response needed?

The heavy rainfall has not only caused damage to property, and possessions, standing crops, communication and transport mechanisms but devastated normal living conditions and livelihood of some of the most vulnerable people, many of whom do not have the resources to cope with this emergency and get back on their feet without help.

Alert Nr 27/2013 A/P Floods 2

3. National and international response

The state government has deputed special officers to the affected districts and formed help centres to monitor rescue and relief work. Three rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached Khammam for rescue work as 40 villages remain marooned.

Three Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters have been pressed into service for rescue and relief work in district (northern AP), one of the worst affected districts, while another is ready for rescue operations in . The IAF helicopters are dropping food, water packets and medicines in the affected villages.

4. ACT Alliance response

ACT India forum members, the United Evangelical Church in India (UELCI) and Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) are monitoring events closely. Should the situation so demand, an RRF or preliminary appeal will be prepared. The immediate needs among flood affected families are: dry rations, non-food items such as clothes and blankets along with temporary shelter materials. Lutheran World Service, India Trust will extend required coordination towards this emergency response.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, Director of Finance ([email protected])

For further information please contact: ACT Senior Programme Officer, Sudhanshu S. Singh (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916) or ACT General Secretary, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6032)

ACT Website address: http://www.actalliance.org