OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Nepal: Sunsari Flooding
19 August 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Events

On August 18th the Koshi River broke through an eastern retaining wall 
roughly 10 Km north of the East West Highway. The waters have flooded 
significant portions of the following VDCs of Sunsari District: Haripur, 
Shripur, Laukihi, Paschhim Kushaha. Ghuski, Narshing and Madhuwan VDCs are 
also affected, but to a lesser extent. The East West Highway is currently 
impassable due to flood waters at the entrance of Koshi Tapu National Park 
and the NTC mobile phone network is down in the Eastern Region.

Displacement:

It is estimated that 15,000 people are displaced due to the flooding. The 
majority were displaced quickly and moved with limited belongings and 
supplies. Displaced people are congregated on high ground, including the 
main east west highway and other embankments. Security forces are in the 
process of relocating people to 12 shelters identified in Sunsari. This 
morning two helicopters are airlifting people isolated by flood waters.

This population may be displaced for several days. The repair of the 
embankment is not possible with current water levels and the majority of 
flooded land will remain flooded until the embankment is repaired.

Needs:

There is a need for food and NFIs. Site assessments for the 12 shelters in 
Inaruwa is happening today and there may be a need for water, sanitation, 
and camp management support at these locations.

Current needs will not be met by resources within the district and the CDO 
has appealed for assistance from outside the district and outside the 
region.

Response:

A Sunsari DDRC meeting was held on August 19th. The DDRC took the 
following decisions based immediately available resources:

- WVI-Sunsari is providing 4000 kg. beaten rice, 150 kg puffed rice, 100 
tarpaulin;

- UPCA Nepal is providing the emergency food of Rs. 50,000;

- NRCS-Sunsari is providing 50 tarpaulin;

- DDRC identified 12 temporary shelters for displaced people.

- CDO opened the request to all for support in such flooding case;

The NRCS regional warehouse in Biratnagar has 3,000 to 3,500 NFI kits in 
stock. UNICEF regional emergency stocks are as follows:

- 1,000 Blankets
- Water purification tab.
- 1,000 10lts Plastic bucket
- 400 Kitchen utensils


A Regional Disaster Response Meeting was held the night of August 19th in 
Itahari and attended by Regional Administrator, Regional heads of line 
agencies, Regional NRCS, ER Division Head of Nepal Army, DIG Nepal Police, 
and DIG Armed Police. This meeting decided the following:

- Nepal Army , Nepal Police, and APF will continue rescue operation on 
August 19th

- All those providing assistance should coordinate with the DDRC,

- Regional heads of line agencies asked to mobilize resources for DDRC 
Sunsari

- International agencies and OCHA are asked to mobilize resources from 
outside the district

Current Relief Priorities:

- Rescue individuals still stranded by flood waters

- Identify an alternative East West route for humanitarian supplies.

- Site assessments for 12 shelters in Sunsari

- Distribution of food and NFIs to displaced people

Actors in the Region:

World Vision International , Plan International, NRCS, and UNICEF are the 
agencies with the largest operations in the affected VDCs. Action Aid is 
also active in Sunsari district.

Contact OCHA Biratnagar for more details - Phone Number: 021 537257

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