U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
INDIA - Floods
Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2001    August 16, 2001


Background

- Since May 2001, several Indian states have experienced severe flooding
due to incessant heavy rains.  The most adversely affected districts,
located in the eastern state of Orissa, include Kendrapara, Jajpur, Puri,
Cuttack, Khorda, and Angul.  Orissa State is still recovering from the
effects of the 1999 super cyclone.  Since the end of July, flooding has
also affected the northeastern region of India, including the states of
Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.



Numbers Affected

- According to the Government of India (GOI), the floods in Orissa State
have affected more than 8.7 million people, in 20 of its 30 districts, and
claimed 98 lives.  The total number of displaced or stranded residents in
Orissa State has decreased from two million people to an estimated 200,000
people.  Over 240,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, and more than
40,000 people remain without shelter.

- In addition, India has suffered approximately $13.54 billion in
agricultural damage, including losses of an estimated 891,000 hectares of
cropland and at least 14,142 head of cattle.

- Initial reporting indicated the floods interrupted 32 transportation and
telecommunication links.



Current Situation

- According to the GOI, rivers most recently flooded in Orissa State have
receded below danger levels.  However, Indian officials expect the
flood-like situation to continue, because a good pre-monsoon rain fell
over most parts of the country and the Bay of Bengal is experiencing slow
drainage.  The most recently affected districts are those that were
devastated by the cyclone in 1999.

- The major humanitarian concerns are temporary shelter, the increase in
potential health risks, the lack of potable water, and the restoration of
livelihoods.  The health situation has deteriorated significantly due to
the flooding of 235 health centers and the contamination of thousands of
drinking water sources.  The GOI, non- governmental organizations, and
international organizations have recorded thousands of cases of water and
vector-borne diseases.  The GOI has dispatched more than 270 medical
workers to affected districts to provide medical assistance.

- Most evacuees have started returning to their homes.  However, official
reports indicate that most of the evacuees in Kendrapara, Puri, and Jajpur
districts may remain at higher elevations, on major highways, or along
river embankments.  Many of the GOI’s military forces remain involved in
the relief and rescue operations.

- Food airlifts and emergency distributions are continuing in several of
the adversely affected areas.

- On July 17, the Orissa State Government appealed to the GOI for $42
million, and on July 18, the GOI responded with $21 million in emergency
assistance.  The Orissa State Disaster Management Organization (OSDMA) is
providing coordination for all agencies working in the relief program.



U.S. Government (USG) Assistance

- A USAID/OFDA program officer and the USAID/OFDA regional advisor for
South Asia conducted flood assessments in Orissa State, beginning on July
19.  Based on the recommendations of the USAID/OFDA assessments, U.S.
Charge d’Affaires Albert Thibault declared a flood disaster on July 20.

- In response to the disaster declaration, USAID/OFDA immediately provided
an initial $25,000 in disaster assistance through USAID/New Delhi to the
Prime Minister’s National Disaster Relief Fund for immediate emergency
assistance to those affected by the floods in Orissa State.

- In addition, on August 1, USAID/OFDA provided a total of $980,555 to
CARE ($500,075) and CRS ($480,480) to respond to the immediate needs of
flood victims in Orissa State.  CARE and CRS will implement activities
over a three-month period to include the distribution of emergency food,
shelter materials, and seeds for kitchen gardens.  The activities will
target approximately 70,000 flood-affected households in Orissa State.

- The GOI has utilized USAID/OFDA-funded Zodiac boats and water filters,
previously donated in response to earlier disasters, to assist in search
and rescue efforts and to provide potable water for the affected
populations.



USG Funding Summary

USG Agency
Implementing Partner (if applicable)
Project/Sector
Region (if applicable)
Dollar Amount

USAID/OFDA
Prime Minister's Fund
Immediate relief supplies
Orissa State
$25,000

CARE
Emergency food, shelter, and seeds
Orissa State
$500,075

CRS
Emergency food and shelter
Orissa State
$480,480


USAID/OFDA Total        $1,005,555
Total USG Assistance    $1,005,555


Note:  Please refer to the India U.S. Government Assistance Summary, dated
August 2001, for a cumulative listing of USG assistance provided during FY
2001 in response to the recent earthquake, drought, and floods.


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International Disaster Information
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
                                          web: www.cidi.org
                                     listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org