Food insecurity reaches crisis point


Sanjeev K Patro
First Published : 16 Oct 2008 10:00:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Oct 2008 11:27:55 AM IST

BHUBANESWAR: The severe food insecurity gripping Orissa for decades has scaled new heights this year, thanks to an abnormal rise in prices of food items coupled with a devastating flood affecting 60 percent of the districts.

Orissa sought 2,454 cr, gets only 98 cr


Express News Service
First Published : 17 Oct 2008 07:55:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 17 Oct 2008 10:43:30 AM IST

BHUBANESWAR: The step-motherly treatment meted out to Orissa by the Centre became evident from the paltry flood assistance released from the National Calamity Contigency Fund (NCCF).Bihar, Assam and Orissa witnessed floods during the recent past.

While Bihar has got Rs 1,000 crore from the NCCF, Assam received Rs 300 crore. Orissa has been given only Rs 98 crore. What is disheartening is that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced assistance of Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 300 for Bihar and Assan while he visited the flood-affected areas of those States.

When Home Minister Shivraj Patil visited the flood-affected areas of Orissa, he had announced an assistance of Rs 500 crore.

This is not the first time the Centre’s announcement of flood relief for Orissa did not match the release of funds. After Manmohan Singh visited the flood-affected areas last time, he had announced an assistance of Rs 200 crore. But the State received only Rs 25 crore. Though Orissa experienced the worst floods in decades this time, the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not visit the affected areas. Both, however, visited Bihar. The State Government had submitted a memorandum during Patil’s visit seeking an assistance of Rs 2,454.35 crore.

The Centre is, however, yet to depute a team to assess the damage.

Tata Steel donates Rs 5 cr to flood-hit Bihar, Orissa
Wed. October 15, 2008; Posted: 08:39 PM

New Delhi, Oct 15, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- TATLY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Country's largest private steel company Tata Steel today said it has donated a combined sum of Rs 5 crore towards relief and rehabilitation work to the flood affected states of Bihar and Orissa, among other contributions.

Flood victims limp back to normal

Statesman News Service
KENDRAPARA, Oct. 16: People have begun picking up the threads of their life almost a month after flood ripped apart village after village in this coastal district.
The flood affected continue to nurture optimism and hope.
"Assured of help, people have begun their routine struggle for bread and butter," narrated an official in charge of flood-damage restoration measures.
Four-year-old Bhabani cries inconsolably pleading with his septuagenarian grand father for fried ‘vada’ from the village market.
The toddler's shrill cries die down as Rajkishore Sahu distracts his attention to recent fury of flood.
The child knows little about flood and its trails of destruction. But soon he turns silent paying heed to what his grand father narrates on how the swirling waters gushed into the house …and so on.
The agro-based economy in Marsaghai, Kendrapara, Patkura, Mahakalpada and Derabish blocks, that underwent maximMum flood damage, is in doldrums.
With hopes of good kharif yield washed away, it’s a torrid time for the farmers.
The land owners and tenant farmers are gearing up for early rabi crop cultivation. With the damaged irrigation canals yet to be repaired, there is not a drop of water in irrigation channels.

Banks to extend credit for Rabi crops
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar October 16, 2008, 0:23 IST

The banks operating in Orissa will extend credit for the coming rabi crops on a priority basis. Since the standing crops were damaged by the recent floods in 19 districts, the banks have agreed to provide credit to the farmers for cultivation of groundnut, oil seeds, pulses, vegetables during rabi season.

India seeks funds for flood relief from Oman NRIs

S.O. News service, Tuesday, 14 October 2008:


Muscat: Indian Ambassador to Oman Anil Wadhwa urged the non-resident Indian (NRI) community here to donate a day's salary to help the flood-stricken people of India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

Rural development minister slams UPA government

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Oct 13: Rural development minister Mr Biswabhusan Harichandan today decried the apathetic attitude shown by the UPA government in extending assistance to flood affected districts of Orissa.
Talking to reporters after reviewing the repair and restoration work, Mr Harichandan said: “It is unfortunate that the Central government has not yet sent an official team to assess the damage caused by flood waters in 18 of the 30 districts in the state."
“Still worse is the fact that Union Home minister Mr Shivraj Patil’s declaration of Rs 500 crore assistance for relief work is yet to reach the state,” he remarked.
“Mr Patil had visited the flood affected areas on 23 September and declared an immediate assistance of Rs 500 crore but we are yet to receive the sum,” he alleged.
The minister said: “Damages caused to the roads, culverts and other rural infrastructure calls for expenditure of over Rs 420 crore. Over 1,300 breaches have taken place and 508 Prime Minister Gram Sarak Yojana roads damaged," while providing a detailed list of the damaged roads, culverts, and buildings under the rural development department.

Orissa: Preliminary flood damage assessesed
(Dipti Ranjan Kanungo)
Publication Date 11/10/2008 11:24:26 AM(IST)

Orissa government has started assessment of the veracity and quantum of damage due to floods during the current year. The central team is coming to Orissa for their assessment work. Chief Secretary to Orissa government Ajit Kumar Tripathy told the mediapersons that the enumeration work has already started.
A meeting of all departments was held in the Orissa secretariat under the chairmanship Of the Chief Secretary.

As per the information and preliminary assessment total 511 ghais on the river embankments and 1311 ghais on the canal embankments of the water recourses department. Rs. 317 crores required for repair of damaged 187 roads and buildings of the works department. Out of 3,037 KM of Nationlised roads 1,924 KM and 68 bridges has been damaged. For repair of Tube wells and water supply projects of Rural Development department 108 crores required.60 crores required for Agriculture department, 14 crores required for Fishery and animal resources department, Vetrinery and animal resourses department 40 crores 34 lakhs , 100 crores for Panchayati Raj department, 20 crores for Energy department, 30 lakh for textile technology department, and 2lakhs of Indira Awas required.

Large-scale afforestation can mitigate calamity effect


Express New Service
First Published : 13 Oct 2008 08:22:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 13 Oct 2008 11:36:49 AM IST

BHUBANESWAR: Calamity-wise Orissa remains at the receiving end — for ever. Surprisingly, the mitigation measures never get more priority than the ‘relief’ and the Centre — which denies the State’s due share starting from mineral royalty to post-flood assistance — continues with its step-motherly treatment in all aspects.

The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB), which sanctions projects for plantation over two lakh hectares in a year, had sanctioned funds to afforest only 30,000 hectares in the current year. Sanctions for more afforestation area could have helped Orissa in better calamity control.

But how does forest cover help in this regard?

Recently, some experts partly blamed ‘bad reservoir management’ for the floods. But on analysis, one can find that siltation is caused by deforestation at the upper end. Also as the sedimented river beds are incapable of containing the inflow of excess ‘reservoir water,’ flood is caused due to ‘the spilling over’ process of excess basin water to the plains.

Donation for the Orissa flood affected

Collection drive for clothes and money for the Orissa flood affected.
By Pulkit Parikh
12 Oct 2008, Citizen Matters
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While we saw a reasonable response in supporting the Bihar flood relief (in terms of cloths and money), there has been far less effort to reach out to the flood-affected in Orissa. Bihar was, by most accounts, the bigger of the two disasters, but Orissa is not far behind. According to a report from our volunteers in Orissa, nearly 5000 villages and over 30 lakh people have been affected by the flooding in the Mahanadi river and its tributaries.

Some of us are collecting (used) clothes and funds to this end. All kinds of garments, including woolen, are useful (Western dresses for women should be omitted, although for young girls, they should be fine). Clothes will be sent to either AID's Orissa chapter or Goonj (a well-known NGO), depending on what quantities we get. If you want to contribute, contact me. I will try to suggest a collection point, as near to you as possible. As of now, the plan is to freeze the collection on 15th Oct (next Wednesday).

Rs 10-cr relief for Orissa flood victims


Express News Service
First Published : 08 Oct 2008 03:56:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Oct 2008 09:47:24 AM IST

ANANTAPUR: Sri Satya Sai Baba has announced a relief of Rs 10 crore for flood victims of Orissa.

Sai Baba gave a darshan to his devotees at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi today on the occasion of Dasara. Explaining the significance of the festival, he said it was the celebration of victory of good over evil.

All-India Sai Baba Seva Dal chairman Srinivasan said a team from Satya Sai Baba Trust would visit the flood-hit areas in Orissa after Vijaya Dasami. Pucca houses would be constructed for flood victims with the relief announced by Sai Baba.

Aditya Birla Group Contributes Rs. 5 crores towards Flood Relief Measures in Orissa

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, October 07, 2008 -- (Business Wire India)
As a measure of solidarity with the people of Orissa and to help alleviate the hardships caused by the unprecedented floods, the Aditya Birla Group has contributed Rs.5 crores. Mr. Ravi Kastia, Managing Director of Essel Mining, an Aditya Birla Group Company, today presented the cheque to Mr. Naveen Patnaik, Orissa�s Chief Minister.

The Aditya Birla Group has a significant presence in Orissa. Some of its major projects in this region include Hindalco�s Aditya Aluminium, Utkal Alumina and the Hirakud Smelter; Grasim, UltraTech, Essel Mining and Idea Cellular.

Indian envoy in Oman urges NRIs to donate for flood-ravaged Bihar, UP, Orissa
October 7th, 2008 - 12:28 pm ICT by ANI -

Muscat, Oct 7 (ANI): The members of the Indian community in Oman have been urged upon by the Indian envoy here Anil Wadhwa to donate a day’’s salary to help the flood-stricken people of India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, reported the Gulf News.

The Indian envoy made the appeal while addressing members of the Indian community at an open house held at the missions premises to celebrate Eid al Fitr.

Akshaya Patra Foundation feeds flood victims

The Akshaya Patra Foundation has come forward in a big way to help the flood-hit people of Yamuna Pusta and nearby areas in New Delhi by feeding them with cooked meals. It is a not-for-profit, Bangalore-based secular trust.

CJ: Veena , 1 hour ago Views:19 Comments:0

THE AKSHAYA Patra Foundation, the world’s largest Non-Government Organisation (NGO)-run school meal programme, feeds over 9.48 lakh children across the country everyday. The foundation has come forward in a large way to help the flood-hit people of Yamuna Pusta and nearby areas by feeding them with cooked meals since September 26.

This foundation is a not-for-profit, Bangalore-based secular trust, which evolved a free lunch programme in schools in the year 2000. What started as a pilot project in five schools in Bangalore, feeding 1,500 children, has now grown into a mammoth endeavour reaching out to over 9.48 lakh children in over 4,700 government-aided schools and anganwadis (day-care centres) in 15 locations, across five states in India, day after day. Currently, the foundation reaches out to the underprivileged children in Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Mangalore and Mysore in Karnataka, Jaipur, Nathdwara and Baran in Rajasthan, Vrindavan and Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh, Puri and Nayagarh in Orissa, Gandhinagar and Ahemedabad in Gujarat and Raipur in Chattisgarh.

Focus needed on stress disorders in flood-hit areas

ENS
First Published : 06 Oct 2008 12:03:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 06 Oct 2008 12:44:55 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: With the recent flood causing extensive damage to life, properties and livestock, another area that needs immediate attention of the State Government is the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which might increase psychiatric illness in the affected area by 30 to 40 percent following the socio-cultural and emotional distress.

However, stigmas attached to individuals suffering from mental illness — even after their recovery, misconceptions regarding various illness types and irregular treatment modalities adopted by people, the psychiatric disorders are increasing day by day. With the World Mental Health Day being observed on October 10, the mental health week which began Saturday, has taken up issues like awareness generation, advocacy and community orientation for the mentally diseased, in phases.

According to Prof and HoD of department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Rabindra Kumar Das, one in four patients coming to OPDs in the State is suffering from mental, behavioural or neurological problems and the patients with psychiatric problems would be more than 15 lakh.

Expats in Gulf rally for India's flood hit
Indo-Asian News Service
Monday, October 06, 2008 (Dubai )

The large expatriate Indian community in the Gulf is mobilising its resources to provide aid to victims of the floods that hit India's northern and eastern regions last month.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), members of the Indian community have contributed over Rs14 million ($300,000), which would be sent as aid to flood victims in the worst hit states of Bihar and Orissa.

"We have collected 1.1 million dirhams (Rs.14.2 million) and hope to get around two million dirhams (Rs.25.8 million)," Bharatbhai Shah, a prominent Indian businessman and community leader here, said.

"We have set up a committee of eight members to handle the donations. The committee includes well-known Indian businessmen in Dubai like L.R. Lulla, Vinod Agani, Harish Pawani and K. Kumar," he added.

Describing this year's floods in Assam, Bihar and Orissa as no less a disaster than the Kutch earthquake and the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Shah said that he would be leaving for India after the festival of Diwali to take stock of the situation there.

River basin-based models should be on priority list


Express News Service
04 Oct 2008 10:44:00 AM IST

BHUBANESWAR: The controversy over the ‘man-made’ flood in Mahanadi has literally ‘submerged’ other major issues relating to flood control in Orissa and a time has come to look beyond Hirakud. But is the State ready for the take?

Though a dam across Mahanadi near Manibhadra or Tikarpara was discussed long ago to act like a ‘second barrier’, the costs involved including the environment and rehabilitation and resettlement could be substantial and with that the plan was stalled.

Later, with the ferocious nature of the water discharge from Tel river both in 1982 and the recent one, there are plans to build 25-30 small dams across its tributaries like Indra, Suktel, Hati, Jonk and the main river itself to contain the flood. However, as the small dams are definitely not going to help much in future, these might not provide relief from flood.

According to geomorphologist Prof GK Panda of Geography Department, Utkal University, Tel being the ‘major contributor’ in the whole affair, a major dam downstream after its confluence with Mahanadi could be an ideal option.

According to Superintending Engineer N.M. Krishnanunni of Hydrological Observation Circle, Central Water Commission, Bhubaneswar, the water retention of Hirakud reservoir has come down to 5,900 million metre cusecs from 8,130 cusecs due to several factors.

But regarding a second ‘barrier’, he said the technical studies could be made after Orissa’s proposal gets approval of the Planning Commission and then Technical Advisory Committee of the CWC. ‘‘But as funds with all water resources wings across the globe are now becoming limited, to strike a balance is the real issue,’’ he added.

According to Flood Management Programme (FMP) of 11th Plan, approved projects can obtain 75 percent funding from the Centre. ‘‘Out of 72 proposals submitted to CWC 69 costing Rs 163 crores were approved recently. However, delay in submitting detailed project report (DPR) and time consuming land acquisition processes are major stumbling blocks,’’ an official said on condition of anonymity.

Even the CWC is advising the State to have more ‘pragmatic approach’ and having more river ‘basin-based FMPs’ as there would be less land acquisition issues involved. But, the State is still working on the proposals, each over Rs 7 crores, he added.

Water Resources Engineer-in-Chief H.C. Behera said the State has submitted a proposal to Centre on a multi-purpose mega dam at Baramul with facilities for flood control and hydropower generation. However, detailed cost and height of the dam are yet to be finalised as the feasibility study is still under process, he added.

Rs 5-cr relief for flood victims

BHUBANESWAR, Oct. 3: As a mark of solidarity with the flood-affected people of the state, the renowned industrial group ~ Aditya Birla Group~ has announced a contribution of Rs 5 crore towards relief and reconstruction purpose.
The contribution is the highest one, so far, by any corporate house as aid for the flood-hit populace in the state. The Group’s contribution was conveyed to the chief secretary by Mr Ravi Kastia, managing director of Essel mining and industries limited, an Aditya Birla Group Company recently.
Such a contribution was in response to the appeal of the chief secretary in a meeting of the industries at the state secretariat few days ago, a company spokesman said.

Rs 216 crore for flood repair work

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik directed officers to prepare a special package for affected farmers in flood hit Orissa. Supply of seed and renovation of lift irrigation points are going to emphasised in the package..

CJ: Dipti Ranjan Kanungo

EVEN AS reports of drinking water scarcity and disease poured in from marooned villages, the state government on Saturday claimed there was access to all village and sporadic outbreaks of gastro-entritis had been brought under control.

The death toll in the current floods was put at 68 by officials here. The total population affected is stated to be over 42 lakh and the government said four lakh people have been evacuated.

Puri continues to be cut off by road from Bhubaneswar. It will take at least one week to repair the damage and open it for vehicular traffic, officers said.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik directed officers to prepare a special package for the affected farmers. Supply of seed and renovation of lift irrigation points are going to emphasised in the package, official sources said. Over 4.68 lakh hectare of cropped area has been damaged by flood waters.
For the declared 15-day relief, four lakh tonne rice and other items have been distributed at many places.

Official sources said a total of Rs 216 crore had been released to expedite repair and restoration work. The water resources department has been sanctioned Rs 100 crore, while works department and rural development department have been allocated Rs 50 crore and Rs 56 crore respectively.Works department sources said over 3,120 km of roads had been damaged by the floods and at least Rs 340 crore was needed for restoration work.

Receding flood waters leave behind a trail of diseases in Orissa
From ANI

Kendrapada (Orissa), Oct 2: Misery continues for people in Orissa as receding flood water has left behind a trail of diseases in the region.

Large numbers of people in Kendrapada district have been grappling with water borne diseases like diarrhoea, skin infections and other ailments.

People are lamenting negligence on part of authorities in providing medical aid.

"Due to being continuously surrounded by flood water for past so many days, people are now suffering from diseases like diarrhoea and fever. We are in a lot of trouble and authorities have not been very forthcoming in helping us," said Prakash Senapati, a resident.

Naveen visits flood-hit villages in Jagatsinghpur
By Kanhu Nanda
Last updated: 10/02/2008 21:39:50

Jagatsinghpur ( Orissa) : The Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik on his second visit to flood ravaged Jagatsinghpur district on Wednesday visited Biridi block where about 30,000 people have been affected in 6 Panchayts.

He interacted with villagers and assured them of early repair and restoration work.

CM rushed to Naharabari village and watched the breach and took stock of the extent of damage by the flood in various villages.

Flood victims have expressed their sorry plight and urged chief minister to rehabilitate them in war footing as the flood has shattered their economical back bone.

Brushing aside local officials who were reluctant to take him to Bagalpur on grounds of security and bad road conditions as it was unscheduled programme. He insisted on visiting the area with or without security.

Floods to delay wheat, rapeseed sowing in east India
Wed Oct 1, 2008 2:42pm IST


NEW DELHI, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Floods in India's eastern state of Bihar will delay sowing of wheat and rapeseed, but standing rice and corn crops have not suffered major damage in other affected regions, a farm ministry official said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Commissioner N.B. Singh said floods had destroyed corn and rice only in small areas of five districts of Bihar, while crops in Assam and Orissa were not significantly hit.

Learning to live with floods - the Orissa example

Bombay News.Net
Wednesday 1st October, 2008 (IANS)

A group of children in an Orissa village are on a new mission. They are going from house to house telling people what to do in case they face a flood - one of the many steps the villagers here have taken this year to minimise the misery the near-annual phenomenon brings with it.

The children, all below 15, are members of a club that discusses local issues. They heard about the last flood on the radio and alerted the 800 households in the village so that they could move to a safer place with whatever resources they have including dry food. They travelled on rafts made of banana trunks.

Nilpura is like dozens of villages in Orissa's coastal district of Balasore, some 300 km from state capital Bhubaneswar. During the last flood this June, most of the houses were submerged.

But the residents say they managed to reduce their suffering as they were well prepared.

About a quarter million people in the region now say they are preparing to live with floods - which they witness almost every year. One measure they are taking - increasing the height of their tube wells. They are stocking up on food as well.

They need to be prepared. Last year, the residents of 25 villages under Bhograi block near the Orissa-West Bengal border faced floods 13 times, usually whenever the river Subarna Rekha flowed above the danger mark.

'This year we witnessed three floods. Of them one was devastating. That hit the region in June. But we are happy that we managed to reduce our misery,' Lambodar Pal, a village elder, told IANS.