Droughts and Floods

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December 12, 2022 Study looks at behavioral biases in crop insurance adoption
Adoption rate of crop insurance low in India despite government efforts (Image: PxHere, CC0 Public Domain)
October 30, 2022 This book by Dr. Mitul Baruah presents a fascinating, ethnographic account of the challenges faced by communities living in Majuli, India, one of the largest river islands in the world, which has experienced immense socio-environmental transformations over the years, processes that are emblematic of the Brahmaputra Valley as a whole. This is an excerpt from the book.
Floods are recurrent phenomena in Assam (Image: Mitul Baruah)
September 13, 2022 Heavy rains and floods have battered Bengaluru yet again. Uncontrolled and unregulated development and concretisation of the city that pays no heed to the ecology and hydrology of the region needs to stop!
Urban flooding in Bangalore (Image Source: Thejas via Wikimedia Commons)
August 21, 2022 Floods are not feared, but rather welcomed by the Mishing communities from Majuli island in Assam as they bring bountiful fish- a rich source of food, nutrition and livelihood for the community.
The Majuli island, a haven for fish (Image Source: Usha Dewani, India Water Portal)
August 10, 2022 The irrigation at all costs mindset and narrow policies for drought protection during the colonial rule ignored rainfed agriculture and local practices that sustained agriculture in the Bombay Deccan. This continues even today.
Recurrent droughts and the struggle for survival (Image Source: Gaurav Bhosale via Wikimedia Commons):
August 2, 2022 The frequency and intensity of floods is on the rise in Assam spelling doom for fish biodiversity.
Life during floods in Assam (Image Source: Kausika Bordoloi via Wikimedia Commons)
Source South Asia Water & Sanitation News:Issue 7, September 2008
Source South Asia Water & Sanitation News:Issue 7, September 2008 Posted on 22 Sep, 2008 01:36 PM

Since 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
The article is about Plan India's Plan flood relief efforts where it has started a limited and focused response operation to the Bihar flood situation in Supaul district. Posted on 18 Sep, 2008 05:08 PM

Forwarded 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.

An appeal for help from Agam!
Agam is collaborating with EurekaChild, a NGO to generate funds for the relief work in Bihar, by requesting the listeners to donate generously. Posted on 18 Sep, 2008 04:48 PM

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Drinking water sources at relief camp - Raghopur
A file photo of the drinking water sources at relief camp in Raghopur Posted on 15 Sep, 2008 05:44 PM

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Report from the Disaster Management Division on the Southwest monsoon and the daily flood situation as on 13.09.08
The Ministry of Home Affairs, (Disaster Management Division) has released an summary of events regarding the Southwest monsoon and the daily flood situation Posted on 14 Sep, 2008 10:08 PM

The 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
The article provides a concise look at precautions, useful resources and general tips regarding drinking water, sanitation, relief measures in the flood affected regions. Posted on 13 Sep, 2008 09:43 PM

Parineeta 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
Details of mega camps and other relief camps that are being run by the Government at the wake of the Bihar floods Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 11:03 PM

Two 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
A comprehensive situation report from the UN dated September 10, 2008
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 10:50 PM

Among 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
An invitation for discussions and questions from NGOs and other organisations working in flood relief related to the problems they are facing and questions that they would like answered.
Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 03:11 AM

In 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
Distribution of TERAFIL water filters among the victims of Bihar flood affected areas for supply of drinking water. Posted on 11 Sep, 2008 03:06 AM

Please 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.

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