Nepal • FWR/MWR Floods and Landslides Situation Report # 1 8 October 2009 This report was issued by UN OCHA Nepal. It covers the period from October 4 - 8 2009. HIGHLIGHTS • Ten districts in the Mid and Far Western Regions have been affected by the floods and landslides caused by four days of continuous rain; • More than 40 deaths have been recorded, but the impact of landslides has been most felt in Accham (20 deaths) and Dadeldhura (12 deaths) districts, and that of the floods in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts (source: NRCS); • More than 3,000 families and 18,000 individuals have been affected, and at least 1,000 families have been displaced (source: NRCS); • Regional and district level resources can meet current emergency needs and the District Disaster Relief Committees are coordinating efforts in all affected districts; • Damage to roads and telecommunication systems have obstructed search and rescue efforts, especially in hilly and mountainous districts and remote VDCs in Terai districts. • Over the past 24 hours rains have decreased and water levels in many rivers receded. I. Situation Overview At least ten districts in the far- and mid-western regions have been affected by the heavy rains which started in the far-western districts and moved eastward. More than 40 deaths have been reported up to now, including 12 in Dadeldhura district, and 20 in Accham district (source: NRCS). The amount of rainfall was especially high in Doti and Dadeldhura districts, where it reached 245.7 mm and 227.4 mm respectively in a 24-hour period (Meteorological Forecasting Division website). As a result, streams, rivers and drainage systems flooded. In Banke disrtrict, the Rapti River water level reportedly reached a record 7.3m in the Khusum area on October 7, leaving several people stranded in the river for more than 12 hours while they waited for a rescue team. Many of the roads in the FWR hilly districts have reportedly been blocked by landslides, thereby obstructing rescue and relief work. The situation in Kailali and Kanchanpur was also severe, especially in the flooded southern VDCs. By the evening of October 7 th , however, the rains had stopped in most districts, and the water level of some of the rivers started to recede. Although the District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) has initiated search and rescue relief efforts in most affected districts, in a number of districts access to affected people has been obstructed by the landslides and flooding. Damage to the telecommunications system in the hilly districts also made it difficult to gather information. No information could be obtained from Bhajang and Darchula districts, but they have also reportedly been affected by the heavy rainfall. District overview Disaster People Displaced Affected Houses District Event Dead Missing Injured Families Families Destroyed Kanchanpur Flood 2 1190 Kailali Flood 2 805 2010 Dadeldhura Landslide 12 2 15 15 Doti Landslide 2 60 Achham Landslide 20 190 190 4 Baitadi Landslide 1 6 9 9 Bardiya Flood 1 390 Banke Flood 2 75 Dang Flood 2 Jumla Flood 2 Myagadi Landslide 10 10 2 Total 42 4 8 1,164 3,799 21 Accham - According to the NRCS, at least 20 people have died in the district, and approximately 190 families have been affected. While Patalkot and Sidheswor are the most affected VDCs, the impact of the landslides was also felt in Tungara, Binayak, Sokot, Bindebasini, Marku, and Mangalsen VDCs. In Khaptad VDC, 125 households that were previously displaced by landslides in 2006 found themselves at high risk of displacement once again. The landslides completely damaged the roads in many locations, severely affecting food supplies coming from the Terai and the movement of relief workers. By October 07, however, the relief workers were reportedly able to reach the affected populations. Dadeldhura - 12 people died in Mastamandu VDC, and 15 families have been displaced due to landslides which swept away their homes. The Attariya-Dadeldhura highway was also obstructed at Shaukharka VDC. The police post and Nepal Army barrack at Jogbudha VDC is reportedly inundated by the Rangun River forcing personnel to take temporary shelter in a nearby community forest (source: District authorities) Kailali - Two people reportedly died in the district. According to the NRCS, more than 2,000 families and 10,000 individuals have been affected by the rains, and an estimated 800 families have been displaced. On October 6, 183.4mm of rainfall was recorded over a 24 hr period in Chaumalla VDC, and 159mm in Sadapani VDC (Meteorological Forecasting Division website). There were also reports of heavy rainfall in the Churiya range, and FM stations have been advocating for preparedness and safe evacuation to higher grounds. Ramshikharjhala, Kailad, Lalbojhi, Dhansinghpur, Thapapur, Geta VDCs and several wards in Dhangadhi Municipality were flooded. The Mohona and Likma River levels rose, reaching 4m and 2m respectively Kanchanpur - The continuous rainfall has affected many of the district's VDCs. According to NRCS estimates, around 4,000 to 5,000 individuals have been affected. The most affected areas reported so far are Rampur, Bilashpur, Rataulibichuwa, Parashan, Shankarpur, Dodhara, Chadani, Dekhatbhuli, Krishnapur, Daijee, Shripur, Beldandi, and Suda VDCs, as well as Mahendranagar Municipality. In these and other VDCs, the telecommunication system has been disrupted, and the roads are inaccessible. Many of the shops in the bazaar areas are closed. The power supply in Suda VDC and Mahendranagar Municipality has been cut since October 4 th due to the collapse of its transmission pole, which could not be repaired due to the rainfall. The paddy crops have been badly damaged and the rain has eroded the agricultural land. The water levels of the Donda, Banara, Machheli, Chaudhar and Mahakali rivers have increased considerably, and the Mahakali Bridge is closed for security reasons. Doti - Two people have died due to landslides, one in Pakari VDC (a five-year old child) and one in Dipayal Silghadi municipality. More than 10 families have been evacuated in Ganteshwor, Laxminagar, Saraswatinagar, and Gadshera VDCs and 12 cattle have died in Pakari VDC. Vehicle movement along the Doti-Dadeldhura highway and along the road between Doti and Accham has come to a complete standstill. Baitadi - One dalit child (11 years-old) reportedly died due to landslides in Malla Dehi VDC. His mother and uncle are severely injured, and their house was completely destroyed. Local people fear potential landslides in the villages. The heavy rainfall and obstructed roads have also made it difficult to carry the injured people to the hospital. Banke - Two people have died in Banke, including a young child and four people are missing. The water level reportedly reached a record level of 7.3m in the Khusum area. On Oct 7, five people from the Sohana community (which searches for gold along river banks) were trapped on a small island in Godarpurghat (between Gajanapur and Kachanapur VDCs. The police were mobilized but not able to reach them. Four people went missing after a boat capsized in Kothiyaghat VDC, and a search and a rescue team was sent to look for them. In the downstream VDCs of Holiya, Betahani, and Patipur VDCs, there have been early warning signals by way of sirens and FM radios, and people have started to evacuate to higher grounds. Bardiya - According to the NRCS, over 390 families and 2,000 individuals have been affected by floods in the district. Circulation along the Mahendra highway was interrupted at Orahikhola and another location near Chisapani in Bardiya due to the floods. Dang - Although Dang appears to have been less affected than other districts, the villages along the river were at risk of flooding due to the continuous rain, and as of October 7, two people were missing. Jumla - According to media reports, two people went missing in Depalgaun VDC after the Tila River swept them away (source: Kathmandu Post). Rolpa - Although there have been no reports of major damage in Rolpa, the road between Pyuthan and Rolpa has been blocked due to landslides in Badada VDC. The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate 2 effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Bajhang and Darchula - No information could be obtained about these districts, but it is expected that they have also been affected by the rain. II. Humanitarian Needs and Response Humanitarian Needs The needs of the people affected by the floods and landslides include: - food assistance, including for babies and pregnant/lactating women; - shelter and non-food items for the displaced; - first aid services for the injured; - access to clean drinking water; - protection for those who have moved to temporary shelters or jungle areas. In order to address these needs, logistical support is needed, especially in terms of helicopter access to areas affected by the floods and landslides which are otherwise inaccessible. Regarding mid to long-term needs, people’s houses and property have been damaged and/or destroyed; their livestock killed, lost, or in ill health; and their paddy fields severely damaged. Following immediate rescue efforts, livelihoods assistance will undoubtedly be needed. Current Response NRCS, ICRC, LWF, UNICEF, Save the Children and other organizations have approximately 4,000 non-food items such as tarpaulins, cooking utensils and blankets that can be used in the relief efforts. There are 50 in each district, and the rest are in Nepalgunj. UNICEF has the capacity to provide health assistance to 6,100 families; aqua tablets for 10,000 families for 10 days; hand washing materials for 5,000 families; 6,000 health and hygiene kits; 100 first aid kits, and 12,000 ORS packets (source: contact group meeting).