OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Nepal: Mid and Far Western Floods and Landslides
25 September 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

CONTEXT
Situation Overview

On 19 September, heavy rains hit several districts in Mid and Far Western 
regions of Nepal. The incessant rains caused floods and landslides in 
Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Doti, Kalikot and 
Salyan Districts. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), the 
greatest impact of the floods and landslides are being felt in Kailali, 
Bardiya and Kanchanpur districts, with the number of displaced in need of 
assistance rising to 180,000. MOHA information also indicates that the 
greatest impact of the floods has been on the extremely poor and 
previously vulnerable populations in these districts. Reports indicate 
that over 30 people have died since the recent floods/landslides started.

The government mobilized the army, Armed Police Force and the regular 
police to repair the over 100 metres of road along the East-West Highway 
at Pahalmanpur, Kailali is completely washed away. It is estimated that it 
will take at least 2 more days to repair this stretch of the road, which 
is partially passable using light vehicles at the moment. Electricity and 
telephones are still cut off in some VDCs, which hampered information 
collection from the affected areas. Air transport from and to the most 
affected areas has since resumed. The water levels have started receding 
in a number of the affected districts and some displaced persons have 
started going to visit their damaged homes. However, reports from the 
Inter agency assessment teams indicate that the water levels in most VDCs, 
mainly in the border areas, remain high and houses are uninhabitable. 
Landslides along the Dhangadhi- Dadeldhura highway are still obstructing 
vehicle movement from and to Dadeldhura.

Kailali: According to the government and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) as 
wells inter-agency assessments done in the last three days, the floods and 
landslides have caused 13 deaths, 17 people reported missing and an 
estimated 20,100 families (135,000) displaced in the 13 out of the 19 VDCs 
so far assessed. The majority of VDCs in this District were affected to 
some degree by the flood waters or landslides in the hilly areas. The 
worst affected VDCs include Dhansinghpur, Narayanpur, Tikapur, Khailad, 
Lalbojih, Bhajani and Thapapur in the south-east corner of the District. 
Bhajani and Lalbojih VDCs are inundated with flood water. The majority of 
the displaced people are located in settlement sites in Khalid and 
Bhajani. Men reportedly return to the houses during evening to protect the 
property, which raises protection issues for the families remaining in the 
settlement sites. The majority of Sukumbasi (landless) and former Kamaiya 
settlements are severely affected by the flood waters in Kailali District.

Kanchanpur: According to NRCS updated data, 5,133 families (30,366 people) 
are affected by the floods. 13 people are confirmed dead, mainly from 
Dhodohara VDC. The worst flood affected VDCs include Dekhatbhuli and 
Shankanpur. Other affected VDCs include Krishnanagar, Parasan, Dodhara, 
Rauteli Bichwa, Rampur Bilashpur, and Mahendranagar Municipality. Access 
to the south-eastern flood affected VDCs is possible from Kailali. Initial 
assessment reports indicate that hundreds of families from Shankapur VDC 
are displaced in Dekhatbhuli VDC. The priority needs for relief materials 
for the have been identified as food, medicine, tarpaulins, drinking 
water, NFIs and blankets

Bardiya District: According to information from MOHA, 15 VDCs are severely 
affected. These include, Gulariya Municipality, Sanoshree, Tarataal, 
Dhodhari, Suryapatuwa, Shivapur, Thakurdwara, Neuwalpur, Khairichndrapur, 
Rajanpur, Bhimapur, Daulatpur, Nayagaum, Gola and Patabhar. MOHA estimates 
that 1245 families are affected, with over 175 families displaced. 
According to International Rescue Committee (IRC), up to 849 of the 
affected households are in the Kamaiya camp in Rajapur. According to 
initial rapid assessment conducted by NRCS and IRC teams, initial needs 
include food, NFIs and hygiene kits. IRC, NRCS and the local chamber of 
commerce and industry responded through provision of food and non-food 
items.

Doti: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), 5 people died and 
3 were seriously injured due to the floods and landslide. Transport, 
electricity and communications systems between Doti district headquarters 
and Kailali are disrupted.

Dadeldhura: According to information availed by MOHA, an estimated 681 
families are affected and in need of immediate support. CARE Nepal, NRCS 
and the National Chamber of Commerce and industries are have raised 113, 
000 NPR to support response in Dadeldhura. Assessments to determine the 
extent of the damage as well as the needs are ongoing.

NEEDS AND RESPONSE

Central level- Kathmandu

On 21 September, the government convened the Central Disaster Relief 
Committee (CDRC), under the chairmanship of the Minister for Home Affairs, 
in Kathmandu. The Meeting decided to mobilize all existing government 
resources including security forces, helicopters and relief equipments to 
rescue people in the affected districts and take them to safer places 
where temporary shelter, food and basic health services could be provided. 
On 22 September, the CDRC released 15.5 million NPR to support the relief 
efforts in the affected districts.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docideF1E8BB6590DA81852574CF0069A89E&file=Full_Report.pdf


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