The state of Bihar is experiencing floods in 20 of the 38 districts. The districts affected are Supaul, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, W. Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Khagaria, Sheohar, Madhubani, East Champaran, Araria, Sharsha, Samastipur, Madhepura, Kisanganj, Katihar, Begusarai, Purnea, Vaishali and Gopalganj.. SITUATION REPORT - BIHAR FLOODS NATURE OF HAZARD: FLOODS DATE: 31.07.04 at 7:00 PM The current wave of floods has affected more than 21 million people in the state. Around 5, 57,812 families have been rendered homeless and a population of 12, 54,182 have taken shelter in 949 relief centers run by the administration in different districts. 909 villages are still marooned of which 609 are in East Champaran and the rest are in Kisanganj district. Highest no of relief camps has been opened in Darbhanga. Floods have caused damages to road and rail networks. Breaches on state and National Highway (NH) -31, 28, 77, 57, 104, 105 and 107 at several places had disrupted the road communication due to overtopping of water but the over all situation of the state is improving with not much rainfall over the state and adjoining areas. Relief operations measures are continuing in the affected areas. The worst affected districts in the ongoing floods are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, Samastipur and Muzaffarpur. At present Darbhanga district remains still cutoff from rest of the state, as the road connecting Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur has been damaged by waters of river Bagmati. River Bagmati s water has caused extensive damage to the road between Bhithuali Chawk & Kansi in the district. As per the Central water Commissions Report both the rivers- Bagmati and Adhwara Samooh are flowing above the danger level in Darbhanga. In Samastipur, river Budhi Gandak is flowing above the danger level. Similarly river Kosi in Khagaria district and river Mahananda in Purnea and Katihar district is flowing above the danger level. Situation in Sitamarhi district also remains grim as the approaching road from Darbhanga has been disrupted in Darbhanga district. As a result, transportation of essential commodities Satellite Image showing severely affected districts (in red colour) is not possible in the remote areas. People in these districts are still in the relief camps run by the district administration and on the roads and railway lines. The state government has been carrying out relief activities with the assistance from Army, Air Force and NCC cadets. Many international and national non government NGOs have also extended support in the affected districts of the state.
DAMAGE DETAILS: District Blocks affected Panchayats Villages affected Persons Houses damaged Human lives lost Animal lives lost Families Families given shelter Relief camps Population Supaul 9 68 189 469,000 5174 6 3 6738 22 Darbhanga 18 329 1266 3,212,000 44633 169 487 59854 259 225720 Bhagalpur 9 50 218 145,000 9012 14 28 12000 12 W. Champaran 3 20 54 78,000 652 7043 8 35215 Muzaffarpur 11 199 847 1,508,000 1080 71 100 100000 7 2000 Sitamarhi 17 273 853 2,859,000 118903 71 57 15220 20 500000 Khagaria 7 101 205 902,000 11903 9 41 6106 41 Sheohar 5 54 199 517,000 41300 22 33 27 Madhubani 20 373 1087 2,929,000 122837 52 274 27728 230 87933 Araria 9 188 590 1,650,000 219500 7 11 90000 186 40000 Saharsa 8 105 282 787,000 5295 6 57703 22 3250 E.Champran 24 306 846 1,983,000 52110 15 534 55063 48 276316 Samastipur 13 173 658 1,806,000 24805 91 325 82525 20 18513 Madhepura 10 92 204 514,000 3987 11 7 1725 29 10600 Katihar 15 133 666 516,000 1901 7 5060 3 Kisanganj 7 75 216 248,000 954 3 720 13 3600 Begusarai 6 56 199 330,000 3798 7 8 12344 20 23585 Purnea 3 105 627 606,000 770 5 7 8035 6 21800 Vaishali 2 13 44 82,000 100 9790 1 5650 Gopalganj 3 11 27 35,000 2 158 3 Total 199 2724 9277 21176000 668714 568 1915 557812 977 1254182 Road Network: Floods waters had breached the state and National Highway -31, 28, 77, 57, 104, 105 and 107 at several places and it remains disrupted at few places. The road communication on NH-31 remains affected at Khagaria. Similarly NH-57 that connects Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga and NH-77 connecting Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi remains disrupted. Rail network has been affected in Sitamarhi Subdivision to a large extent due to breaches on the tracks. ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES: Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh made an aerial survey of affected district and reviewed the situation along with senior officials of the State on 27 th July. Earlier on 25 th July, former Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had reviewed the flood situation. State Govt. is carrying out rescue and relief operations in all flood affected districts with support from Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army. Ten flood relief columns are carrying out relief operation in the following districts Kisanganj: 1 column, Darbhanga: 3 columns, Samastipur: 3 columns and Khagaria: 3 columns. Similarly IAF choppers still remain deployed in Bihar for relief operations. The central Govt. has released Calamity Relief Fund (CRF)of Rs. 818 million consisting of Rs. 614.5 million as Center s contribution and Rs. 203.5 million as State s contribution. Hon ble Union Minister of State for water resources has made an ariel survey of the situation in Bihar and an inter ministerial team has been constituted for detailed assessment of the flood situation in the state. The state Government has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister for assistance Tents have been mobilised from different states and institutions to meet the requirement of Shelter : Govt. of Orissa- 308, Govt. of Gujarat-200, CISF : 60 and CRPF-60 pieces. Airport Authority has been instructed to distribute the relief material donated by outside agency to the flood affected area as early as possible. Ministry of Petroleum has already allocated 400,000 liters of Kerosene Oil as per the request of the State Government.
Ministry of Health has also supported with 5 million halogen tablets as per the State government s request. In addition to this a specialist team from the Ministry has already completed a need assessment (medicines only) and based on the recommendations by the team, 26 types of medicines are being procured. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) have been advised by Govt. of India to assist the state Govt. in the procurement of fodder and Railways will provide rakes for movement of fodder. The department has also been requested to provide 5, 00,000 units each of HS/BQ/FMD vaccine for cattle. Five satellite phones and onsite emergency co-ordination kits have been provided to the Govt. of Bihar by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Teams consisting of 5 communication specialist with advance communication equipments were supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs to restore the communication link in the marooned / cutoff areas. As per instruction of the Chief Secretary two sets have been sent to Sheohar, Sitamarhi and one of the complete set installed in the Chief Secretaries chamber. One more specialist with specialized communication equipments supported by MHA has been sent to Darbhanga, which will help the district administration to restore communication network. A four member team from ISRO with 2 sets of communication sets is assisting the state government. A Cabinet meeting was held on 13 th July 2004 to assess the flood situations in various districts of Bihar. A State Level coordination meeting was held on 15 th July 2004 in the presence of INGOs and NGOs of Bihar. A Flood Coordination Meeting was also held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary on 15 th July. Chief Secretary has issued the following instructions to different departments-. -Roads Construction department to construct temporary roads to all the affected areas so that relief material can be supplied to all the flood affected districts and if possible to construct bridge for the army movement. -Irrigation Department to bridge the breach in the dam at Darbhanga. -Agriculture Department to come out with a agricultural scheme for the affected area and also to take necessary steps to spread the awareness about the different schemes. -Airport Authority to distribute the relief material donated by outside agency to the flood affected area. - All the departments to have regular Coordination meeting for the ongoing for better response to the emergency situation on a daily basis. Details of boats, Relief Camps and Material distributed- Boats Deployed 6447 Readymade food distributed 26686.07Qtls. No. of Polythene distributed 411013 Air dropping of readymade food 721MT Helicopters used for Air Dropping 9 Army Column deployed in rescue operations 8 with 32 Boats No. Of Match Box distributed 411574 No. Of Candle distributed 453371 No. Of Relief Camps 951 No. Of health Camps 466 No. Of Veterinary Camp 183 A NGO coordination meeting is being conducted twice a week to discuss on the activities to be taken up. NGOs are submitting their proposals for carrying out rehabilitation programmes in the affected areas. Few NGOs have been assigned for carrying out damagege assessment in the state. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE Govt. of India-UNDP, DRM programme staff based at district and state head quarters is assisting the state and district administration in coordination of the relief operations. UNICEF has supported the Government of Bihar by supplying 50,000 kgs. of bleaching powder, 300,000 Oral Dehydration Salt sachets and 400,000 halogen tablets for distribution to the flood-affected communities through ongoing programmes. The Government of Bihar requested UNICEF to provide tarpaulin sheets and discussions with officials in Government of India clarified that adequate quantities of tarpaulin sheets are being procured from Gujarat and are being provided to the Government of Bihar. UNICEF is interacting with the Relief Commissioner, Government of Bihar and with the nodal officers of various field departments. UNICEF is monitoring the situation very closely and has offered its support to assist the Government of Bihar to ensure the reduction of vulnerability among women and children affected by the floods. In addition UNICEF has enrooted 3,500 HDPE sheets by road from Gujarat to Patna. It is to be delivered to the State Government of Bihar as per request of the Government. An additional 300,000 nos. of oral dehydration salt sachets and 2,000 bags of bleaching powder will also be supported. These materials are in the process of procurement. They have also carried out a rapid assessment in Muzaffarpur district for 2 days 27&28 th July.
OXFAM has supported the flood victims with 6000 Dry Food Packets in Madhubani District of Bihar. OXFAM has conducted a rapid assessment in flood affected areas of Bihar and is supporting 10,000 family kits (that includes shelter material, hygiene packages and food) to the flood affected victims as immediate relief response. Indian Red Cross Society has distributed 155 pieces of polythene and 500 packets of Chura and Gur in Aurai block of Muzaffarpur district. The National disaster Response team of the Indian Red Cross Society is to undertake preliminary assessment in Bihar A volunteer from Mumbai Amateur Radio Society established a Ham Radio System in Sitamarhi and they are able to communicate with Patna CS office. CARE-India has supported 5000 Shelter material, 0.5 million halogen tablets and 25,000 nos. of ORS sachets. EFICOR is providing assistance to flood affected people in Madhubani, Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi Districts. It as mainly supporting with water and sanitation facility. Medical assistance through EHA has already been provided in East Champaran District. It has also distributed 1000 nos. of packed food packets in Katra block of Muzaffarpur district on 27 th July. CARITAS- India has initiated it s relief activities in Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Begusarai, Khagaria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts through a local partner Muzaffarpur Social Service Society and in the districts of Purnea, Katihar, Kisanganj though Purnea Social and educational Society. 3575 families have been supported with rice, pulses, jaggery and Tarpaulin sheets. Christian Aid is providing assistance of dry rations, plastic sheets, clothing, blankets and sanitary articles in two districts of Bihar (W. Champaran and Sitamarhi). World Vision India has supported Zeoline tablet / solution for water purification Food ( Rice, flat rice, Jiggery/ sugar, Gram power ) Tarpoline sheets for roofing to 5000 families in Muzaffarpur district.. CASA has distributed dry food items, clothes, plastic sheets, household utensils and sanitation items in the affected villages of Sitamarhi and West Champaran district. Other non food materials supported are woolen blankets, Dhoti, Polybags, soaps, candles, and bandage. Food materials supported are rice, lentils and Mustard oil ECHO has decided to fund NGO s mainly to provide human assistance to the affected people CURRENT NEEDS Safe drinking water, essential life-saving medicines, shelter material and water purifying agents. The need to plan for long term rehabilitation actions based on sectoral needs in the affected districts. Issues pertaining to vulnerable groups women and children, provision of safe drinking water need to be addressed on priority Need to carry out post flood disease surveillance assessment in the affected districts CHANNEL FOR DELIVERY AND CONTACT DETAILS Disaster Management Department, Bihar: 91-0612 2226945 (Telephone) 2225786 (Fax) State Control Room: 91 0612-226305 (Telephone) 9431254811(mobile) V-Sat Phone Details installed for Emergency Communication supported by Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI Chief Secretary Office: 0873763096170 Dilip K. Bhanja UNDP- Bihar Team Overall Coordination & Management- - 9431417148
District Magistrate Office, Sitamarhi : 0873763096173 District Magistrate Office, Sheohar : 0873763096169 District Magistrate Office: 0873763096161 SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Disaster Management Department, Govt. of Bihar Media Report Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Central Water Commission (CWC) UNDP Bihar Team UNICEF