Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 NATURE OF THE DISASTER: FLOOD
Approximately 16 million people have been displaced by flood in Bihar, where 351 people have died so far and about 338,000 houses have collapsed. The worst affected districts are Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Khagaria, Madhubani, Gopalganj The map below shows the partial and fully flooded districts of Bihar as of date.
AREA AFFECTED: • Number of District: 24 (Sitamarhi, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Patna, Katihar, E.Champaran, W. Champaran, Sheohar, Gopalganj, Smastipur, Madhubani, Saharsa Supaul, Shekhpura, Siwan, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Madhepura and Khagaria, Begusarai, Saran, Lakheesarai) out of 38 districts. • Numbers of Blocks Affected: 203 • No of Panchayats :2,242 • Numbers of Villages affected: 8,150 • Life loss: 351 [Govt. sources ] • Cattle Loss: 1366 • Population affected: 15.44 million • Houses damaged: 372,009 estimated value is Rs.4,390.2 million • Total Area affected: 1.84 million hac.
DISTRICT DETAILS : Districts Numbers of Blocks affected in district Sitamarhi 17 Nalanda 9 Muzaffarpur district has suffered a loss of more than Rs 42,430 million due to the floods, 8 which damaged standing crops and houses and affected more than a million people. The floodwaters have receded from a major area of the district now, but a large part of Aurai and Katra blocks remains inundated by the Bagmati river and the situation is unlikely to improve before September 15.
Darbhanga: 18 Patna 4 Page 1 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 East Champaran 19 Seohar: 4 Goplalganj 8
Samastipur: 9 Madhubani: 19 Saharsa 1 Sekhpura 6 West Champaran 7 Supaul 8 Araria: 9 Kathiar 10 Khagaria : 6 Saran 5 Siwan 5 Madhepura 3 Purnea 8 Kisanganj 7 Begusarai 4 Lak heesarai 4 Nalanda 9 Sheikhpura 6
IMPACT: (DAMAGE BY SECTOR) Lifeline and critical facilities: Public Utilities: Estimated Value of damaged public properties – 2,914.6 million Agriculture: • Cropped area affected: .8 million hactare • Estimated value of crop loss: 3,963.7 million • Standing crops in 0.2 million hectares worth 1,730 million. have been affected so far.
Road And Communication: Communication network: NH 57 has a long breach, NH 104 has breaches in 19 places and NH 77 has breaches in 40 places. The road communication to Sitamarhi, which was completely cut off, has been restored partially and the repair work is still continuing. Heavy loss had occurred in road network especially in north Bihar due to the recent floods affecting the relief work. Road, power and communication infrastructure had become dysfunctional in Madhubani, Darbhanga and Sitamarhi districts but now in some places the road communication has been restored.
• Health Facilities: There are increase in the number of diarrhea, kala azar cases and many cases of snakebites in the flood- affected districts. Health infrastructures have been damaged. Some of the PHCs require live saving drugs like ORS, Anti snake venom, Anti rabies, Drugs for fever, cough and cold etc. as reported by DMs. Now around 550 health centers and 279 veterinary centers are operating. At least 18 people have died due to Kala azar disease in the East Champaran district of north Bihar. Health Department has alerted the state government about the possibility of kala-azar taking virulent form in the flood-affected areas, if it failed to undertake DDT spray in these areas in time. Waterlogged houses and cattle-sheds are likely to emerge as a breeding ground for the kala-azar vector and sand fly. So far, Kala Azar or leishmaniasis disease has taken the lives of at least 75 people this year only with several hundreds still waiting to receive treatment for the disease. According to [ media sources ] The IOWH [Institute for One World Health] will conduct the trials for the drug paromomycin in four government-run hospitals in Bihar A final test of the drug is to be conducted in hospitals of Patna and Muzaffarpur districts.Paromomycin was proven to be quite effective against the disease in previous testing and doctors believe that the drug, if successful, could become the most affordable drug for the disease as it has shown no signs of parasite resistance and may eventually replace sodium antimony gluconate (SAG), the drug that is considered the only effective treatment for the Kala Azar disease so far and remains in short supply due to high demand of it. Kala Azar is easier to eradicate than malaria, as
Page 2 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 sand flies are still sensitive to DDT unlike mosquitoes that cause malaria. Currently 2 NUNV doctors are providing health assistance to Sitamarhi / Darbhanga District administration.
Shelter: Flood had its severe impact on the habitat and shelter sector. A total of 372,009 houses have been damaged out of which 3,298 Pucca houses and 3,687,31 Kuchha houses have been affected. More damage is expected once the floodwater recedes from the water logged and submerged places. Most Pucca houses have been washed away near the breaches. There is very little flood proofing in the existing structures.
PROJECTED EVOLUTION/SECONDARY THREATS: • Sanitation will be a major problem for these areas as all people are residing on the road and embankments. Temporary toilet is required to keep the environment clean, which will help in controlling the spread of epidemic. • Ready to eat food is more suitable for these areas as availability of fuel will be a problem. • As rainfall trend shows that there will be heavy rainfall in the month of August and September and the situation may continue till October. • ORS packets are not adequate for the affected areas. Most of the doctors are busy in health camps and may need more doctors with medicines after receding of the water. There is a need of bleaching powders, lime and halogen tablets immediately for the 24 districts. • Health problem will be a major threat to these areas. Immunization is totally stopped after 2nd July 2002 due to communication disruption and people are on the road. • Fodder will be a major problem for these areas after few days, and there is chance of epidemic among the animals due to stagnation of water. • There will be no Crop in all affected areas before October. Here most of the people are marginal farmer or agricultural labour, they may not get any opportunity for their livelihood. Migration cannot be ruled out. • Food is required for the affected population for next three months, as government has already declared that each family will get one-quintal wheat and 250/- per month, the existing stock is inadequate. • Fuel will be a major problem in terms of availability when wheat is distributed. • Drinking water is a major problem those who are residing on the road and embankments. • Most families are having cattle’s and there is no separate space for the cattle’s, vaccination and fodder. Govt. support is not adequate. • Apprehension of eye flu and diarrhea in the affected areas cannot be ruled out.
NATIONAL RESPONSE: • 3 Army helicopters and military boats had been engaged for Relief and Rescue. 29,397 food packets have been airdropped and 154,744 packets by military boats and 1,918.15 quintals of other materials have been air dropped in Seohar, Darbhanga, Madhubani since 24. 07.2002 • Govt. has provided polythene for 40,000 families • Facing a grim flood situation in 24 of 38 districts, Bihar has requested the federal government to release Rs. 2 billion from the Natural Calamity Relief Fund to speed up relief and rescue work. • With the flood water receding in many places spraying of DDT is underway • Centre has announced to provide 25,000tonnes of food grains free of cost to the state for distribution among the flood affected people • The central team has surveyed the affected areas of Bihar between 22-25th of August. The findings of the team are awaited. • CRF has released Rs.600 millions to Bihar and an amount of Rs .2 millions, to each district for medical health has been allotted as part of Central Relief Fund. • Bihar, facing an acute shortage of SAG [Sodium antimony Gluconate] regarded as the first line Kala Azar drug in India has asked the federal government for immediate supply of 25,000 vials of SAG.
Page 3 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES: • Action has been taken to assess the drug position of each district to identify any health problem. Temporary shelters are being mobilized for the evacuees. • The relief and rehabilitation department have already allocated Rs. 160 millions for relief work. Government flood control camps have been activated/ Police outposts have also been activated. Relief stocks available at Panchayat & block head quarters. People’s representatives are busy in distribution of relief materials. Relief Camps: 723 functioning. • Bihar, Chief Minister has directed the district collectors to assess the damage and Indira Awas Yojana houses to be constructed for BPL house holds. The dependents of each people killed will be paid Rs. 50,000 as compensation. • State Govt. following directives of Union agriculture ministry has decided to create an inter-disciplinary, multi- Departmental and multi-purpose Calamity Management Cadre comprising 300 govt. employees and officials. o The State Govt .has formed a Committee for Flood Forecasting on modes to improve the flood warning time near the Indo-Nepal border.
OPERATIONS / MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES: o 6,969 boats been deployed; three helicopters are used for air dropped. 19 Powerboat have been sent to affected district and 7 more to be provided today. Some army boats have been deployed. o Gratuitous Relief as Wheat distributed: 1,963,00.80 qtls. o Readymade food distributed: 7,379.94 Qtls o Matchboxes: 111,458 [nos] o Candles: 119,923 [nos] o Polythene Sheets [distributed]: 3,705,30 metres. o Kerosene. Oil distributed:79,493 litres. o Cash Dole: Rs.61.3 million o Mobile health Units are functioning at certain sites in Sitamarhi, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur. o State government has provided tents to around 5,000 families only and unable to mobilize more temporary shelters. They are requesting all developmental agencies to provide tents and polythene. Temporary shelter is priority need of the state.
CO-ORDINATION: Few NGOs / INGOs have started working on the ground. Oxfam has started damage assessment in Madhubani District and Indian Red Cross is active at the ongoing situation. In most of the places the Indian Red cross is supporting government for relief distribution. Gram Vikas Parishad is also assisting in the current situation according to the DM, Madhubani
The first Coordination Committee meeting was held at the Relief Commissioners [RC] office On 7.08.02. Thereafter there is a coordination meeting every Wednesday at 11 am in the morning in the office of the Relief Commissioner] In this meeting, Relief Commissioner-cum – Secretary has requested all the participants to mobilize more resources and help the flood victims in the above-mentioned sectors. Relief and rehabilitation Dept., Bihar will provide the logistic for delivery of the items if any body need any help for distribution.
In the 2nd coordination meeting UNICEF has agreed to provide for 100,000 polythene sheets and bleaching powders for all affected districts. Two more new agencies have participated in this coordination meeting- i.e Satya Sai Seva and Efficor. o It was decided that District. Coordination Meeting will take place very soon and some of the agencies have already initiated the process in Samastipur, Katihar, Muzzafferpur, Madhubani, and Khagaria. o RC will write a letter to all the DM for the proposed coordination meeting in short time. o Mapping of blocks has been completed for 10 districts; presentation is also completed and will be shown to the CM/ Relief Minister. o A detailed discussion on gap analysis is being done. o Unicef and Redcross have been informed about supply of Kala azar drugs.
Page 4 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 Items mobilized so far are : Agency Polythene/ PVC Family Medicine Bleaching Cloths Volunteers/ Any other tarpaulins/ tents Roll packet powder( Human kg) resources UNICEF 36,000 kg [ 1420 bags] Indian 5,000 polythenes, 2,400 4,000 2,000 Red Cross 45 tents, 38 rubber sq feets families children Society boats UNDP 3,500 families have Medicine IT facilitator, One set of been already given have been Logistic and Computer to Samastipur distributed other Human to State districts through Resources for Control mobile immediate room with 10 lifejackets have health assessment, internet been given camps in 2 Doctors are facility to DM Khagaria Samastipu supporting from UNDP r and the district Darbhang administration a for with 20,000 medicines. population CENCOR Volunteers for ED relief distribution Satya Sai Food ORS, Clothes Seva packets Halogen Samiti EFFICOR Food for 1,000 families. Govt. of 1,000 community Orissa[ Tents Through UNDP Orissa] PRIORITY NEEDS: • The immediate need is Drinking Water and more attention has to be to check the epidemic, as the water will remain for next three months. • Temporary shelter is the top priority need of the state. The polythene or tents are not available locally and state government is requesting for polythene to the evacuees. • Sufficient steps to be taken by the health department for disinfections of drinking water and other water bodies in the rural areas. They need bleaching powders, lime and halogen tablets RC has expressed that there is a need for strengthening the embankment on Bagmati and Kamlabalan Rivers. • Boat availability is a big constrain due to non-occurrence of floods in the recent past. • Strengthening of medical control room, introducing disease surveillance system • Health Secretary has stated that they have enough stocks of medicines to cope with the floods, with the exception of anti- snake venom sera. • The government would appreciate if drugs against kala azar could supply by any agency as they are facing an acute shortage of SAG [Sodium antimony Gluconate ] regarded as the first line Kala Azar drug in India . • Co-ordination between Govt., NGOs & Community • Up gradations of control rooms for collection of data, compilation and dissemination.
Page 5 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 • After receding of water for next two month as the next crop will be on October. Food for work will essential to check the migration. • There is huge loss due to breaches and damage to road network. International support is required close the breach as well as provide livelihood option to the affected people. • The need of the state is Dry food, temporary roofing, Clothes, safe drinking water, Baby/ children food. • There is not step being taken for continuation of education, which is also a priority. • There is a priority need to help the district administration in relief distribution and coordination.
Gap Analysis Sector Items Required Provided Balance Requirement Housing: • 670,000 250, 000 polythene sheets 420,000 polythene sheets 335,809 house polythene 1,000 community tents from damaged – sheets Orissa Govt. Temporary Shelter for 1,510,855 population Rescue and • Boats for relief 6,902[mechanized, country, More rubber power boat is required relief distribution and govt. and private boats] for relief distribution as the water distribution evacuation flow is increasing at Khagadia and Begusarai dist. • Life jacket for 10 Jackets 90 life jackets volunteers, those who are involved for rescue and relief distribution Drinking water • Safe drinking Not adequate Halogen tab., mobile water for 15.327 water purifiers, tube well at embankments million • Bleaching 36,000kg[1,420 bags] 8,000 bags population powder • Tube well Arranged locally 20,000 tube wells for camp site and the embankments, roads, railway tracks Sanitation: • Sanitation Not adequate Urgent need as people are living 1,510,855 facilities on the embankments and people at contaminating the areas embankments / roads/ railway tracks Food • Baby food / Not supplied Baby food required for more than supplementary .54 million children for three nutrition for the months children
Health • ORS Available in PHCs[exact 5,000,000 packets quantity not known]
Page 6 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 • Life saving Available in PHCs and fund Anti snake venom, anti rabies, ARI, drugs provided for procurement Fever, skin infection, Kalajar. Diarrhea • Doctors for Health camp at 10 areas More health camp is required in inaccessible patient checked 900. inaccessible areas areas Clothes • Clothes 7,300 pieces Children and Women Education: • Study Reading books, repair of school 7,967 school materials/ buildings are required urgently buildings are books for damaged students • Temporary school building Agriculture: • Short duration Shorten livelihood support or Food 1.2552 million crop seeds /cash for work programme ha crop land • Support for affected removal of sand • Support for Pre-Rabi and Rabi Livestock: 920 • Support for live Support for new livestock and cattle’s lost stock those immunization and fodder for Affected 2.449 who lost their existing livestock million cattle’s • Fodders for the remaining animals • Vaccination of the animals & vetenary care Villages • Cooked Food / Supply of Cooked Food / Dry Stuffs surrounded Dry Stuffs for the marooned persons with with water – • Health Camps adequate Drinking water and 3,191 • Safe drinking Health camps with Medicines. water
Achievements till date : • UNDP is supporting the local administration in providing temporary shelter and other essentials. UNDP is assisting Relief Commissioner, Bihar in setting up strong coordinating System with Coordination Specialist and Information Technology and Management Information System support. OCHA and Govt. of Norway Grant are being used for provision of temporary roofing and emergency drinking water provision for population living on roads, embankments and railway tracks. NUNV livelihood and Habitat Specialists are assessing the need and possibility of a recovery programme. 2 NUNV doctors are providing health assistance to Sitamarhi / Darbhanga Districts. • UNICEF is mobilizing 1,420 bags of bleaching powders to health dept. for relief work. ORS packets are not adequate for the affected areas. Most of the doctors are busy in health camps and some them are transferred and on the transit and may need more doctors with medicines after receding of the water to control the epidemic. • IRCS, Patna is reviewing the relief operation and condition of health services in the flood-affected areas. 45 tents and 38 rubber boats have been provided to the district administration. In most of the places the Indian Red Cross is supporting government for relief distribution. • USAID and Concern World Wide have shown their interest and will conduct a preliminary assessment. Swiss Red Cross team is here for assessment of the situation.
Page 7 of 8 Situation: Bihar Flood SITREP 26/08/2002 • UNDP will provide polythene for another 3,500 families and 1,000 community tents from Govt. of Orissa have been supplied to Bihar. • One set of Computer wit all accessories have also been provided to State control room for database and information sharing.
Future Plan of action: • UNICEF, Bihar will provide polythene sheets for 5,000 families. 100,000 kg bleaching powder, 500,000 halogen tablets. • IRCS is planning to provide 50,000 family kits to this flood affected areas. • UNDP is planning to have short-term livelihood interventions and strengthening the coordination system at state and district levels. • Concern Worldwide is planning to provide some relief items for the Bihar flood victims.
• SOURCES OF INFORMATION: o Relief and Rehabilitation Dept., Govt of Bihar, Patna o Deputy. Secretary. Relief & Rehabilitation Department, Patna, Bihar o UNDP, Bihar o District Magistrate, Affected Districts o Director, IRCS, Bihar o UNICEF, Bihar o Concern Worldwide, Bhubaneswar Office o Media Reports o Central Water Commission.
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