India floods Information Bulletin No.4

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In Brief

This Bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the situation and the information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.

The Situation

Following heavy monsoon rains that led to floods in different parts of India during the months of June-July 2007, the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat and Orissa were once again hit by very heavy rainfall over the weekend of 22-23 September 2007 (sources: United Nations Development Programme and All India Radio).

Orissa: One of the hardest hit areas was Orissa where, under the influence of the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal on 21st September, most of the coastal districts experienced heavy rain for three days. On 23rd September, the depression lay over Angur district in the interior of Orissa.

As on 23rd September, five people (three in Cuttack and two in Bhubaneshwar) were reported to have been killed in the state. Large areas in six blocks of Balasore district were waterlogged. Flash floods were reported in the Budhabalanga river. In Bhadrak district, the Baitarani river crossed the danger level on 23rd September, and a breach on the embankment of the river was closed down immediately. However, the river levels have now started receding. The district administration is keeping a close vigil on the situation and has initiated relief distribution in affected areas.

According to a report prepared on the basis of inter-agency coordination, some key details of the flood situation in Orissa are as follows:

- Continuous heavy rainfall due to low pressure in the southern and coastal parts of the state has resulted in a rise of water levels in all the major river systems, except the Mahanadi system. The heavy rain in the Chhattisgarh region may have an impact on the Mahanadi river system.

- Balasore district has been affected by floods for the third time this monsoon season. Approximately 500,000 people and 415 villages were affected. The road connection has been cut off between Baliapal and Basta. Eleven fishermen were rescued from Balaramgadi.

- Approximately 200,000 people having been severely affected in Mayurbhanj district.

- River Baitarani is expected to touch the danger level in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. Large parts of Jajpur district have been affected due to floods in the Brahmani river.

- In southern Orissa, the water levels in the two major river systems, i.e. the Bansdhara and Rishikulya, are rising, with Bansdhara being expected to touch the danger level.

- In Cuttack district, 270 mm rainfall was recorded and seven breaches have occurred in the Sapua river. About 50 feet of road has been washed away between Cuttack and Narasinghpur.

- Tidal waves affected 611 families in Kendrapara district and washed away 50 metres of sea shore in Paradeep port.

- In Jagatsinghpur district, 1,000 thatched houses were damaged due to heavy rain and areas covered under 19 village administrative units were affected.

- In Nayagarh district, heavy rain over four days cut off 21 villages from the district headquarters.

- The Special Relief Commissioner for Orissa has deployed the Orissa Disaster Relief Action Force for search and rescue in Mayurbhanj district.

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