OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Nepal: Mid and Far Western Floods and Landslides
3 October 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

CONTEXT

Situation Overview

Following incessant rainfall since 19 September, several districts in the 
Mid- and Far West Regions of Nepal were hit by severe floods and 
landslides. 50 deaths have been confirmed as a result. According to the 
Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), the number of affected population is 
estimated at 180,000. The most affected districts are Kailali, Kanchanpur, 
Bardiya, Bajura, Bajhang, Banke, Dang, Dadeldhura, Doti, Kalikot and 
Salyan.

The Government of Nepal has been leading relief response efforts, 
mobilizing in-country resources to address the situation.

On 22 September, the Central Disaster Relief Committee (CDRC) released 
NRs. 15.5 million to support relief efforts in the affected districts. On 
26 September, the Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, who is also the Minister 
of Home Affairs, made an aerial inspection of different flood affected 
districts. He was accompanied by a seven member team. On 26 September, the 
CDRC meeting agreed to allocate an additional NRs. 30 million for Kailali, 
NRs. 25 million for Kanchanpur, NRs. 5 million for Bajura, NRs. 2 million 
for Kalikot, NRs. 1.5 million for Accham and NRs. 1 million each for 
Dadeldhura and Gulmi districts, as immediate relief for flood hit people.

On 30 September, WFP contributed a helicopter for an interagency aerial 
assessment on the impact of the flash floods in the southern parts of 
Kailali and Kanchanpur. The team comprised of Government, UN and INGO 
representatives from these Districts. They observed water levels were down 
and that most flood affected areas were dry. Therefore, access for 
flood-affected returnees has improved. Nevertheless, the returnees are 
returning to various degrees of damaged homes and most of their belongings 
are damaged or destroyed. The aerial assessment observed extensive crop 
damage and sedimentation throughout the majority of the southern VDCs. The 
assessment also identified displaced camps and prioritised VDCs that 
require immediate support and assistance due to extensive shelter damage.

Kailali: According to the Government and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to 
date the floods and landslides have caused 17 deaths and an estimated 
22,164 families (144,000) were affected by the floods. The majority of 
VDCs in this District were affected to some degree by the flood waters. 
The landslides in the hilly areas obstructed access and delayed relief 
distribution.

According to NRCS Kailali, of the 22,000 displaced households in the 
district, 19,000 families have returned home. The floods severely impacted 
upon the marginalized and already vulnerable groups, including the former 
Kamaiyas (bonded labourers), landless and indigenous communities. There is 
a risk of their being susceptible to endemic diseases like diarrhoea due 
to lack of safe drinking water and sanitation. Acute Respiratory 
Infections (ARI) and Pneumonia cases are prevalent in health clinics.

Kanchanpur: According to NRCS updated data, 6,426 families (31,962 people) 
are affected by the floods which directly affected eighteen VDCs and 
Mahendranagar Municipality. 10 people are confirmed dead and four are 
missing mainly from Dhodohara VDC. South-eastern flood affected VDCs in 
Kanchanpur can be accessed from Kailali. The distribution of relief 
materials in the most affected VDCs and camps remains a challenge. The 
District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) has delegated authority to local 
relief distribution mechanisms that has been formed under the convenorship 
of the VDC secretary to buy relief materials (food items) from local 
markets for prompt and effective distribution.

Bardiya: According to NRCS over 8,000 people were affected by the floods 
in the district. The flood water from the Karnali River caused 
displacement in the Rajapur delta. Among the 20 Village Development 
Committees (VDCs) that were affected- Tighra and Chhediya in Rajapur VDC, 
Murhawa, Sonpur and Daulatpur in Daulatpur VDC, Bhaluphata in Bhimapur 
VDC, Jhapati, Nayabeli, Majhara and Saijanbajpur in Khairaichandanpur VDC, 
Bhagraiya, Tarkeshwor, Bipatapur and Dhaunara in Dhoderi VDC, Guptipur and 
Shonaphata in Manau VDC and Taperi and Gujrana in Gulariya Municipality 
are the worst affected. According to NRCS 1,473 families have been 
affected, 173 houses completely damaged, 572 houses partially damaged and 
728 houses slightly damaged. According to the DDRC, there were no deaths, 
injuries as a result of the flood. Reportedly all the IDPs have returned 
except 72 families in Manau.

Kalikot: Landslides and floods triggered by heavy rainfall during the 
period of 10 August- 20 September have claimed 17 lives in Kalikot and at 
least 100 households were displaced. Mugra, Phukot, Nanikot, Raku, Rusha, 
Manma, Sukatiya and Bharta VDCs were most affected. The DDRC was activated 
on 17 September. The District Administration Office (DAO), Nepal Police 
(NP), Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Army (NA), CPN-UML Youth Force, 
I/NGOs and NRCS were mobilized for rescue and relief efforts. DAO Kalikot 
provided NRs. 25,000/person plus rice packages to families of the 
deceased. In terms of needs, 673 families still require non-food items 
(NFI) and other relief support, such as health and food. Presently Save 
the Children and NRCS have been providing relief support while Helvetas is 
assessing affected VDCs. It is however evident that immediate, mid- term 
and long- term food assistance will be required by the affected 
population.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=9E25DCF50F80E094852574D7006ABB1B&file=Full_Report.pdf

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
.  Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
.                              guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -