Sphere Unified Response Strategy

ORISSA FLOODS SITUATION REPORT July 15, 2009

PART 1: SITUATION REPORT:

MAJOR RIVERS IN SPATE

Heavy and incessant rains in Orissa has triggered flood threats in Orissa as major rivers in the state are in spate. Sources in the revenue control room said that floodwaters have entered all reservoirs. According to official sources, water level of river Baitarani stood at 272.8 feet at Champua by 6 PM as against the danger mark of 367.41 feet.

Meanwhile, 82,000 cusecs of floodwaters per second were entering the Hirakud reservoir by 6 PM on July 14th, while 59.97 cusecs of water were released. The water level of the reservoir has gone up to 595.79 feet as against the optimum level of 630 feet. As per the flood control measure, the water level of the reservoir should be 596 feet by July 13. The state revenue control room sources, however, maintained that the water level in the reservoir would touch the desired height. The dam authorities have not opened any sluice gates. Meanwhile, reports from Indravati said that the 73.80 cusecs of water was entering into the reservoir while 18.71 cusecs water was released from it.

"The water level in major rivers is showing a rising trend. At some places, Bansadhara river is running above danger level," said sources in the State Revenue Control Room here. The water level in major reservoirs like Hirakud, Rengali, Balimela, Machhakund and Upper Kolab is rising too. In the Hirakud reservoir there is an inflow of 87,289 cusecs of water while there is an outflow of 29,245 cusecs, the sources said. The Met department on Monday warned that heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours could aggravate the situation further.

The Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, reviewed the situation on July 13th, evening and instructed officials to be prepared to face flood related challenges.

Monsoon Watch:

The well marked low pressure area over coastal areas of Orissa and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal persists. Main Rainfall amounts (≥ 7 cm) of rainfall recorded at 0830 hours IST of today are: Mahabaleshwar-41, , Gopalpur - 8 each, Bhubaneshwar, -7 each.

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TODAY'S OBSERVATIONS

Date : 15-07-2009 Time : 0830 IST

Stations Maximum Departur Minimum Departur Rain Temperature( C e Temperature( C e fall ) ( C) ) ( C) (mm Yesterday ) last 24 hours

Bhubaneshwa 29.6 -02 24.7 00 68.0 r

Balasore 31.5 25.7 15.0

Gopalpur 26.0 -05 24.4 -02 79.0

Jharsuguda 32.6 +02 25.8 +01 11.0

Madan Rampur in recorded highest rainfall (260 mm) in the past 24 hours. Heavy rain breached roads throwing public transport system out of gear in , Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, districts. The -Koraput road was closed for most parts of the day

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Warning:

Main Features (based on 0830 hrs IST Observations)

Widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places is likely over Orissa and south during next 48 hours.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Orissa, south Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, , Konkan & Goa and Coastal with isolated extremely heavy falls (≥ 25 cm) over Konkan & Goa.

Impact Analysis:

Sphere India Secretariat, New Delhi (July 15, 2009) |Page 3

Sl no. District Name Area Killed People 1 7 People (2 Women) 2 Koraput Bandhugaon 3 People 3 people 3 Kandhamal districts Keonjhar 2 fisherman & 2 Other 4 Ganjam city 1 Girl 5 Sonepur Biramaharajpur 2 People 6 Atabira 1 Farmer

Seven people, including two women, were killed in the mishap. The bus sank in the overflowing nullah when its driver, who survived but fled, tried to cross a submerged bridge in the evening. There were 45 passengers in the ill-fated vehicle, sources said.

In Maoist-dominated Bandhugaon area in Koraput district, 52-year-old Rajiga Tunuka, his wife Mindu and six-year old grand daughter were swept away while returning home.

The three were trapped in the overflowing Dermodi Nala, a tributary of the Nagabali and drowned. Local villagers discovered their bodies on July 14th morning.

In Keonjhar and Kandhamal districts, two fishermen and two others, including a teacher, were swept away.

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PART 2: RESPONSE BY HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES:

A) GOVERNMENT EFFORTS:

The state government on Tuesday announced Rs 1 lakh ex gratia to each of the families of nine victims. On July 14th, locals and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel were busy fishing out the passenger bus that skidded into a nullah in Nayagarh district.

B) IAG ORISSA:

The IAG Orissa is keeping a close watch on the situation and generating SITREPs accordingly.

SOURCES:

The Indian Express: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Orissa-flash-floods-kill-16/489293

The Statesman: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=260956

The Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Bhubaneswar-16-dies-as-flash-floods-hit- Orissa/articleshow/4777410.cms

Indian Meteorological Department: www.imd.gov.in/

SITREP PREPARED BY:

S.No. Name Designation Mobile No. Email 1 Mr. Sandeep Sphere (0) 9015555523 [email protected] Pathak Coordinator 2 Mr. Vikas Gora Focal Point, (0)9958699913 [email protected] Unified Response Strategy

Sphere India Secretariat, New Delhi (July 15, 2009) |Page 5