Droughts and Floods
Source South Asia Water & Sanitation News:Issue 7, September 2008
Posted on 22 Sep, 2008 01:36 PMSince its foundation in 1968, the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) has facilitated the sharing, promotion and use of knowledge so that governments, professionals and organisations can better suppo
Information on “Flood Relief” -Plan Intervention in Bihar
Posted on 18 Sep, 2008 05:08 PMForwarded to the Portal by: Avijit Dey, Plan International The following is a report on Plan International's current intervention in the Bihar Flood Situation. The report was received on 12th September 2008.
Name of Organisation: Plan India
Address: E-12 Kailash Colony, New Delhi
Phone No. 46558484 Fax: 46558443
Head of Organisation: Bhagyashri Dengle
Email: Bhagyashri.dengle@plan-international.org
Mobile-9810307476
Website:http://www.planindia.org/ Online campaign page: http://www.helpbihar.in
Plan’s India’s Response:
Plan India has started a limited and focused response operation to the Bihar flood situation in Supaul district ,Triveniganj Block Dafarka Canal an isolated and cutoff population of around 40000 people who are living in an embankment and are yet unreached by either government or civil society. Plan has already dispatched 10 lakh halazone tablets, 650 kilograms of carbolic acid [to prevent snake and insect bites], 2.5 tons of bleaching powder and 20 life jackets. Plan has raised 25000 soaps through corporate donations and the consignment will be sent early next week. Plan India staff have contributed one day of their wage to the response operations. A lot of effort is also being put in to raise funds through local sources.
On the ground, the interventions are planned through 3-5 Camps sites in three districts with local NGO partnership:
- Supaul District which is badly impacted with 15 of 18 blocks under water where we intend to reach 4000 people initially and scale up to 6000 people.
- Madhepura district Block Alam Nagar 2500 people and scale up to about 4000.
- Saharsa, Block Sonbarsa, approximate 3000 people.
At the Camp Sites
- People are crowded in camps on high ground in community buildings and road sides.
- Health needs are not adequately being met
- Stagnant water is creating difficulties in access.
- There is some distribution of plastic sheeting.
- People are living in close proximity with there animals.
- There is no electricity and inadequate light through candles is creating difficulties.
- No privacy for women.
- No safe spaces for children.
Report from the Disaster Management Division on the Southwest monsoon and the daily flood situation as on 13.09.08
Posted on 14 Sep, 2008 10:08 PMThe report ( current as on 13th September, 2008 ) provides a concise overview of the daily flood situation, action taken so far and provides detailed statistics on the issue. The report also includes meteorological forecasts and analysis of current and possible flood situations in the different areas of concern.
Resources: Water & sanitation for the flood affected
Posted on 13 Sep, 2008 09:43 PMParineeta Dandekar spent some time to find resources on the web for people involved in relief efforts in flood situations.The following provides a concise look at precautions, useful resources and general tips regarding drinking water, sanitation, relief measures in the flood affected regions. Water and Sanitation during floods: Some resources for relief workers and flood affected population With more than 300,000 people in relief camps and two mega relief camps planned in Bihar, consideration of issues related to water and sanitation is urgent. Epidemics and water borne diseases can spread rapidly and easily in the present situation.The information below is collected from various sources and aims to help of flood affected population, people in relief camps, volunteers, relief workers working in Bihar. Relief and aid workers should take the necessary precautions to assure their health and safety while working on rescue and clean up procedures. While conducting rescue and clean up operations, it should be assumed that the all surfaces have been contaminated with disease-causing organisms. This important assumption must be considered in decisions involving personal safety of rescue and cleanup personnel . ( for more information, please see here) Personal Protection Measures ( For more information, please see here)
Download the resource document as a doc file: Water & Sanitation for the Flood Affected
Locations of relief camps in flood affected areas of Bihar: Guidelines and contact details
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 11:03 PMTwo documents giving the details of the mega camps and other relief camps that are being run by the Government. Thanks to Eklavya Prasad of Megh Pyne Abhiyan for forwarding these documents.
Situation report from the UN on the 2008 Bihar floods
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 10:50 PMAmong lot of other data it gives the current government estimate of affected people (40lakh people, from 2350 affected villages, in 16 districts of Bihar, with the number of deaths as 87). There is a district-wise breakup. Information about food and other material and cash being distributed, details of the relief camps, UN activities are mentioned.
Drinking water treatment technologies and approaches -- Solution Exchange
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 03:11 AMIn response to the flood situation a query was started on Solution Exchange regarding the available approaches to water purification in flood situations. A very large range of technologies and approaches were suggested by various practitioners based on their experience in the field.
Offer of water filters by Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 03:06 AMPlease see message below: ======= We are in process of distributing 1,000 sets of TERAFIL water filters among the victims of Bihar flood affected areas for supply of drinking water. These filters can provide at least 50,000 litres of clean drinking water every day, which can be operated without electricity by the victims easily, like any other candle filters.