SITUATION REPORT FLOODS 2008 OVERALL SITUATION On 22 June, the IMD issued a warning that isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, northeastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Kerala & Lakshadweep and Coastal Karnataka during the next 48 hrs. From the states of the north-eastern part of the country, there will be an increase in rainfall activity along the west coast. The IMD alert indicated formation of a mid tropospheric cyclonic circulation over the north Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast. On 18 June, the Central Water Commission informed that the river Subarnarekha at the flood forecasting site Rajghat in district Balasore in Orissa has crossed to “Unprecedented” flood situation from “high”. At 1500 hours it was 12.40 m with rising trend, which is 2 cm above its previous HFL of 12.38 m (06.07.2007) and 2.04 m above danger level of 10.36 m. Other than heavy rainfall, in Assam and West Bengal flooding was also caused by the release of water from upstream reservoirs. The impact of the floods is particularly severe in districts in Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal. The UN, particularly through UNICEF is monitoring and responding to the situation in these states. As of 18 June 08, government sources reported the human death toll as 93 from 69 during the last 24 hours. MAP WITH RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA TION IN INDIA 1 Sitrep – Floods- 23 June 2008 • DAMAGE DETAILS Assam: • No. of damaged villages has risen to 360 from 347 (as of 18.06.08). Jharkhand: • Flooding in selected areas of Jamshedpur, Mango and Jagsalai of East Singhbhum district. Orissa: • With less rainfall in the last two days, water has been receding from the major rivers, and situation is said to be improving in Balasore district. • Train services remain suspended till 30 June between Howrah and Chennai section. • Governor M.C. Bhandare made an aerial survey of the flood situation in Balasore district on 22nd June. • Flood situation is improving in Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak district. Orissa Floods - Damage details (22 June 08) District Blocks GPs Villages Population Basta 22 296 1,79,400 Bhograi 16 124 1,13,542 Jaleswar 27 208 1,90,662 Balasore 1 NAC (Jaleswar) 18 wards 23,100 Sadar 15 159 1,41,012 Baliapal 18 161 1,27,319 Total 5 blocks and 1 municipality 98 948 7,75,035 Dhamnagar 23 102 Bhandari pokhari 9 46 Bhadrak 2,56,681 Tihidi 7 21 Chandbali 9 49 Total 4 blocks 48 218 2,56,681 Rasagobinda 8 22 Betanati 3 28 Badasahi 5 58 Mayurbhanj Morada 6 14 50,000 Saraskana 1 1 Shamakhunta 2 2 Baripada Muncipality 4 wards Total 6 blocks and 1 municipality 25 125 50,000 Korei, Jajpur & Dashrathpur 28 142 Jajpur 98,458 Jajpur Municipality 2 wards Total 3 Blocks & 1 municipality 28 142 98,458 Kendrapada Pattamundai, Ali, & Rajkanika 30 83 75,115 Total 3 blocks 30 80 75,115 Total 21 blocks and 3 municipalities 229 1,513 12,55,289 (Source: District Administration) 2 Sitrep – Floods- 23 June 2008 West Bengal: West Bengal Floods - Damage details (23 June 08) District Blocks GPs Villages Population North 24 Paraganas 23 wards 296 44,300 South 24 Paraganas 15 58 1,012 Howrah 600 27,098 Hoogly 608 2,83,902 Bardhaman 280 10,000 Paschim Medinipur 29 8 4312 15,03,505 Purba Medinipur 10 1400 3,00,000 Total 54 31 7258 21,69,817 (Source: District administration) • Human deaths: 26 (as of 18.06.08) ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES Government response: Assam: • Lakhimpur district administration is continuing its relief operations focusing on provision of food items and safe drinking water. • On 18 June, 2 teams consisting of 86 personnel deployed for rescue and relief operations in North Lakhimpur district. Jharkhand: • Local authorities are planning to set up temporary camps in case of flooding in Jamshedpur town and rural areas. • About 400 people have been shifted to safer places. • Government authorities are ready to quickly set up relief camps if required. Orissa: • Chief Minister of Orissa reviewed the flood situation in a high level meeting on 18 June. • The OSDMA convened an NGO coordination meeting on 19 June that was attended by agencies including UNDP, UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), CARITAS, CASA, CONCERN, Anand Margi, Care etc. • Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Orissa and officials from Orissa State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) are camping in Balasore district to supervise relief operations. • The SRC’s office has mobilised 5000 pieces of Saree and Dhoti, 6000 sheets of polythene, 3000 family kits, 500 buckets. Free kitchens have been opened at several places where displaced people are camping. • The Disaster Response Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team has been deployed for evacuation and distribution of food and other relief supplies in Balasore district. 7 platoons of police and 100 home guards have also been deployed. • 4 helicopters have been deployed for air dropping of food supplies in the district. • A core team has been constituted comprising government and non-government officials to review the flood situation on a daily basis and take decisions based on the situation and demands from field. • Medical teams have been deployed. • The state government has issued an alert to the other flood prone districts in the north coastal areas. The Water resources department has been alerted to keep a watch on river embankments. 3 Sitrep – Floods- 23 June 2008 West Bengal: • No. of persons evacuated – 40,185 • No. of relief camps opened – 84 • No. of persons accommodated in relief camps – 51,505 UN response: Assam: • UNICEF is in regular contact with the State Disaster Risk Management Cell, Government of Assam, as also the Deputy Commissioner, Lakhimpur District, and Rural Volunteers’ Centre (RVC), a partner NGO working in the district. • UNICEF’s pre-positioned supplies (NaDCC tablets, tents and H2S strips) are being used by counterparts for relief-related activities. Jharkhand: • Based on the request from the local authorities of the East Singhbhum district, and upon UNICEF’s rapid assessment, the state office in Ranchi has dispatched 50,000 packets of ORS and 50 bags of bleaching powder (25 kg each). Orissa: • A NUNV working under GoI-UNDP DRM Programme in Khordha has been deputed in Balasore district in Orissa to support the district administration in coordination and allied activities for flood management. • UNICEF ICO Chief, Emergency, and emergency focal point of Bhubaneswar office reviewed the preparedness of the state with the Special Relief Commissioner on 17 June. The Commissioner assured UNICEF of the state’s readiness to deal with the flood disaster. However, in case of further flooding, UNICEF may be requested for additional support to complement the government’s efforts. • UNICEF has prepositioned its supplies to supplement those of the Health & Rural Development department. 5,000 shelter material is being sent to Balasore and will be distributed through the Indian Red Cross volunteers. • UNICEF is in regular touch with the state government authorities, IAG and UN agencies. It continues to network with NGOs in the affected districts. An assessment mission is going to Balasore. West Bengal: • UNICEF is closely monitoring the situation with its partners of the Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) Project and government counterparts. The partners may join the rapid assessment team of the government. • UNICEF is providing the following emergency supplies through the Ramakrishna Mission Loshiksha Parishad (RKLMP) network organizations: 50,000 Halogen tabs; 12,000 ORS packets, 50,000 packets water purifiers, 2,000 10-litre water containers 1,500 family hygiene kits units. The distribution of these pre-positioned supplies is ongoing to approximately 10,000 affected families. 4 Sitrep – Floods- 23 June 2008 SOURCES & CONTACT DETAILS Sources: For Further Information contact: • Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Mr. G. Padmanabhan • Central Water Commission (CWC) Emergency Analyst, UNDP • NDM Division, Ministry of Home Affairs Email: [email protected] Mobile: +91 98104 02937 • District administration sources • UNDP Orissa office Ms. Shairi Mathur • UNCEF Brief Note No.1 UN Disaster Management Team Associate Email: [email protected] Mobile : +91 98107 23192 http://www.un.org.in/UNDMT/home.htm 5 Sitrep – Floods- 23 June 2008 .