SITUATION REPORT - BIHAR FLOODS NAME OF THE DISASTER: FLOODS DATE: 24.07.04 at 13:00 PM Rain in the upper catchment areas of Nepal has resulted in rise of water levels in all major rivers of Bihar and so far 18 out of total of 38 districts have been affected by flood. The districts are Supaul, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, W. Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Khagaria, Sheohar, Madhubani, East Champaran, Araria, Sharsha, Samastipur, Madhepura, Kisanganj, Katihar, Begusarai and Purnea. The current situation of the flood has affected more than 20.15 million people of whom 0.89 million people are still living in make shift relief camps. Floods waters have breached the state and national highways at several places. More than 0.35 million houses have been completely damaged. Due to disruption of road network and communication lines, Army and Air Force have been deployed for evacuation and distribution of relief materials in the marooned areas. Severe erosion of the embankments of the major rivers is posing a threat to thousand villages in these affected districts. As per the Central Water Resources Department, River Budhi Gandak is flowing above the Danger Level (DL) in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur district, river Bagmati is flowing above the DL at Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga district, river Adhwara Samooh is flowing above the DL in Darbhanga, river Kamlabalan is flowing above the danger level in Madhubani, river Kosi is flowing above the danger level at Supaul, and Khagaria and river Mahananda is flowing above the danger level in Purnea and Katihar district. The water level may rise further as Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted isolated heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan region. According to the forecast, rain or thunder showers at many places over the region in the next 24 hours is likely to occur. As per the Central Water Resources Department, River Budhi Gandak is flowing above the Danger Level (DL) in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur district, river Bagmati is flowing above the DL at Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga district, river Adhwara Samooh is flowing above the DL in Darbhanga, river Kamlabalan is flowing above the danger level in Madhubani, river Kosi is flowing above the danger level at Supaul, and Khagaria and river Mahananda is flowing above the danger level in Purnea and Katihar district. The water level may rise further as Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted of isolated heavy rainfall in the sub Himalayan region. According to the forecast, rain or thunder showers at many places over the region in the next 24 hours are likely to take place. Heavy rainfall warning has also been sounded in “isolated places” of the region. DAMAGE DETAILS: No. of District Affected 18 No. of Block Affected 186 No. of Panchayat affected 2422 No. of Villages affected 7381 Population affected 20.84 million No of Human lives lost 213 No. of Cattle lives lost 1025 Flood affected Area 5.04 million hectares Crop damaged 1.38 million hectares No of house damages 356878 ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES: • State Govt. is carrying out rescue and relief operations in all flood affected districts with support from Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army. Ten flood relief columns are carrying out relief operation in the following districts - Sitamarhi : 1 column, Muzzfarpur : 2 columns, Madhubani: 1 column, Darbhanga : 2 columns, Samastipur : 3 columns and Khagaria : 1 column. Similarly IAF choppers have been deployed for air dropping of relief material in the affected areas of eight districts. • The central Govt. has released Calamity Relief Fund (CRF)of Rs. 818 million consisting of Rs. 614.5 million as Center’s contribution and Rs. 203.5 million as State’s contribution. • Hon’ble Union Minister of State for water resources has made an Aerial Survey of the situation in Bihar and an Inter ministerial team has been constituted to carry out a detailed assessment of the flood situation in the state. • Three hundred tents from Orissa and two hundred tents from Govt. of Gujarat has been made available to the State to meet the requirement of Shelter. • Airport Authority has been instructed to distribute the relief material donated by outside agency to the flood affected area as early as possible. • Ministry of Petroleum have been requested by the state government to provide 400,000 litres of Kerosene Oil. • Ministry of Health have been requested to provide 5 million halogen tablets. A medical specialist team is in the state capital to assess the flood situation and advice the State Govt. on actions to be taken to prevent any outbreak of epidemic • Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) have been advised by Govt. of India to assist the state Govt. in procurement of fodder. Railways have provided rakes for transportation of fodder. The department has been requested to provide 5, 00,000 units each of HS/BQ/FMD vaccine for cattle. • Four satellite phones and on-site emergency co-ordination kits have been provided to the Govt. of Bihar by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) • Teams consisting of 5 communication specialist with advance communication equipments, supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs to restore the communication links in the marooned / cutoff areas. As per instruction of the Chief Secretary two sets of communication equipments have been sent to Sheohar, Sitamarhi and one of the complete set have been installed in the Chief Secretaries office. One more specialist with specialized communication equipments supported by MHA has been sent to Darbhanga, which will help the district administration to restore communication network. • A four member team from ISRO arrived with 2 sets of communication sets to assist the state government. • A Cabinet meeting was held on 13th July 2004 to assess the flood situation in various districts of Bihar. • A State Level coordination meeting was held regularly from 15th to 21st of July 2004 with INGOs , NGOs, UNDP and UNICEF in Bihar. It was decided during the meeting would be held twice a week ( on Tuesday and Friday). • A Flood Coordination Meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary on 15th July 2004. Chief Secretary has issued the following instructions to different departments-. -Roads Construction department to construct temporary roads in affected areas so that relief material could be supplied to all the flood affected districts and if possible to construct pontoon bridge for army movement. -Irrigation Department to bridge the breach along the embankments at Darbhanga. -Agriculture Department to start an agricultural scheme for the affected area to take necessary steps to spread the awareness about the scheme. -Airport Authority to distribute relief material donated by international agency to the flood affected districts. - All the departments to have regularly attend coordination meeting for better response to the emergency situation on a daily basis. • Details of boats, Relief Camps and Material distributed- Boats Deployed 4674 Readymade food distributed 6552.56Qtls. No. of Polythene distributed 138107 Air dropping of readymade food 517 MT Helicopters used for Air Dropping 9 Army Column deployed in rescue operations 8 with 32 Boats No. Of Match Box distributed 109683 No. Of Candle distributed 191975 No. Of Relief Camps 443 No. Of health Camps 312 No. Of Veterinary Camp 125 ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE • Govt. of India-UNDP, DRM programme staff based at district and state head quarters is assisting the state and district administration in coordination of the relief operations. • UNICEF has supported the Government of Bihar by supplying 50,000 kgs. of bleaching powder, 300,000 Oral Dehydration Salt sachets and 400,000 halogen tablets for distribution to the flood-affected communities through ongoing programmes. The Government of Bihar requested UNICEF to provide tarpaulin sheets and discussions with officials in Government of India clarified that adequate quantities of tarpaulin sheets are being procured from Gujarat and are being provided to the Government of Bihar. UNICEF is interacting with the Relief Commissioner, Government of Bihar and with the nodal officers of various field departments. UNICEF is monitoring the situation very closely and has offered its support to assist the Government of Bihar to ensure the reduction of vulnerability among women and children affected by the floods. In addition UNICEF has enrooted 3,500 HDPE sheets by road from Gujarat to Patna. It is to be delivered to the State Government of Bihar as per request of the Government. An additional 300,000 nos. of oral dehydration salt sachets and 2,000 bags of bleaching powder will also be supported. These materials are in the process of procurement. • OXFAM has supported the flood victims with 6000 Dry Food Packets in Madhubani District of Bihar. OXFAM has conducted a rapid assessment in flood affected areas of Bihar and is supporting 10,000 family kits (that includes shelter material, hygiene packages and food) to the flood affected victims as immediate relief response. • Indian Red Cross Society has distributed 155 pieces of polythene and 500 packets of Chura and Gur in Aurai block of Muzaffarpur district. The Indian Red Cross has dispatched 10000 family packs comprising of non-food items for Indian Red Cross Bihar State Branch on 22nd July from New Delhi. The Bihar Branch is mobilising additional resources within the state. The National disaster Response team of the Indian Red Cross Society is to undertake preliminary assessment in Bihar. • A volunteer from Mumbai Amateur Radio Society established a Ham Radio System in Sitamarhi and they are able to communicate with Patna CS office. • CARE India has provided 5000 Nos. of Shelter Material, 500000 Nos. of Halogen Tablets and 25000 Nos. of ORS Sachets in Muzaffarpur Dist of Bihar. • EFICOR is providing assistance to flood affected people in Madhubani, Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi Districts. It as mainly supporting with water and sanitation facility.