Orissa Flood Report 1stoct2008

REPORT ON FLOOD DEVASTATION IN ORISSA [Assessment Date & Time: 1st October 2008 up to 2 p.m.] An Overview: Fury of flood has cruelly broken the socio economic backbone of people in Orissa. People have lost their habitations, livelihoods, livestock, properties, agricultures and most tragically lives of their family members. Some areas, where flood was ruling for a fortnight, look like fields of cremation at present. The surrounding of the villages is not yet conducive to start the living hood afresh. Still people are engaged in restructuring their damaged dwellings. The flood came and went, leaving behind lakhs of people in uncertainty, penury and agony. It has been more than a week since the flood water started receding but multiple sufferings magnified the misery of victims. Many people still continuing to live at high lands and living scattered lives. Some habitations are surrounded by water till date. Those who returned after undergoing a session of tragedy are fully puzzled about the existence of their dwelling houses as the look and size of their villages has completely been ravaged. Most of the victims are unable to identify their dwellings which they or their previous generation had built. The silent cries for food, water and shelter by the luckless villagers has covered the entire scenario.

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Even after 9 days of flood havoc, unsettled living is still attached with the people filling their lives with misery. 1,69,108 dwelling houses have completely been demolished. As per the government computing, number of death cases has reached at 73. Detriments are inestimable in total 19 districts where flood had marked its presence. This mega devastation has made 1.70 lakh families shelter less those who were leading a comfortable life in 6481 villages and 27 urban sectors under 1603 GPs and 137 blocks. Roads are not yet in the standard to start the traffic and many areas still remained cut off from mainstream of connectivity. One can just imagine the fury of flood through this massive damage to roads. The ravages are also apparent through extensive damages of crops in agricultural fields adjacent to river banks. As per preliminary assessment of Agriculture Department report says that near about 4,62,532 hectares of paddy fields have been sand covered. Watery scenario is no more visible but plight of mass is further seems to be grim. Many areas in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Cuttack district has remained inaccessible till date due to occurrence of breaches in roads and embankments. Relief centers opened by government are contributing a lot but turned to be insufficient as the requirement is high. Even relief provision of government is un-reached and quite uneven in some villages where hunger and thirst ruling over. Neither stomach full diet available anywhere nor a glass of safe drinking water. Difficulties of people particularly of children are untold and unseen. There seems to be no end of problems for the people after suffering a lot as another threat of epidemics has emerged subsequently in some affected villages which turned the situation worse. Events at Flash: Relief and restoration is the talk of the day. The Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Pattnaik is on a series of move to the affected areas to assess the flood damages and sufferings of people. Yesterday, Mr. Pattnaik visited Kantapada of Boudh district, Tigiria in Cuttack district and Marsaghai of Kendrapara district where people narrated their tale of woes to the CM. Victimized people vividly described the hardship they underwent and how nobody was bothered to save them from danger. They made open allegations against the district administrations that “the authorities never appeared in the villages during the time of flood but today they are showing their activeness only because of your presence”. After the panic of flood people have started the fear of crocodile attack in some parts of Kendrapara district. It has apprehended that during the time of flood few crocodiles were entered into the local rivers leaving their permanent place of living. Report says that 5 persons have got some injury caused by attack of crocodiles and being treated at local hospitals. Now, people facing lot of difficulties in making food arrangements for them which they found more horrible than the attack of crocodile. Most of the areas are lack in safe water to cook with. All necessary elements like; ration, vegetables and most importantly fuel to start the cooking has been precious to them. Taking the advantage of the situation, few

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unscrupulous businessmen have started their monopoly in rating their commodities. This high price of daily requiring consumables is also being felt by the people in other nonaffected areas where business-people are showing a plea of less transportation of goods to the state hindered by road disruptions. Numbers of victims are still present at major road sides and at highlands. Massive relief and reconstruction operations are being carried out by government and non-government agencies. But people are not getting the use of it properly. Most of the materials are dropped amidst the flood water so lots of people are in lack of even polythene to save them of rain. Further, relief centers are opened by different agencies exclusively not to provide basic needs to the victims rather to earn some cheap publicity for their organization to be highlighted.

BISWA in Action: In order to lessen the sufferings of people BISWA has started its support service in shape of providing relief materials in different affected parts of the state. Being sensitized over the plight of people, BISWA, in its endeavor, started its relief operations in collaboration with district administrations by utilizing its limited resources. BISWA is in move to undertake relief activities like; supplying cooked food, dry food, life-saving medicines, ORS, drinking water pouch, halogen tablets and bleaching powder to the people in distress. 2 villages, namely, Antei and Bailo under Marshaghai block of Kendrapara district has been served by BISWA where more than 1000 people are taking the service of volunteers. In Cuttack district, 7 volunteers of BISWA having local presence at Banki are engaged in relief operation of government. Numbers of volunteers of BISWA are also continuing with relief operation in Tirtol, Kujanga, Raghunathpur and 22mauza of Jagatsinghpur district. The District Coordinator of BISWA in Puri district along with his team is engaged in relief operation at Balanga, where people are in acute difficulties. Moreover, BISWA management has made a decision to contribute one day salary of all its staff members as donation to carry out relief and resettlement operation. BISWA is also planning for a long-term strategy for undertaking restoration and rehabilitation activities in consultation with government and other partner NGOs. Condolence of BISWA: The fury of flood has taken away Nikhil, for ever, who was the only son to his parents. While passing through a canal way the heavy flow of water swept away Nikhil not to be appeared again. The heart-breaking tragedy of Nikhil’s parent was made BISWA deeply regretted for which all the members in a condolence meeting hold 2 minutes silence pray for peace of pious soul at heaven. It is noteworthy that Nikhil’s mother happens to be a staff member of BISWA. Interventions of Government: With the possibility of epidemic looming large after the receding of flood water, Government has geared up its machineries to tackle the menace. After a session of tragedy now the time has come for the people to restructure their dwellings and communications. Sensitizing the situation well, Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Pattnaik has taken some timely and needful actions to provide all sorts facilities to the people in

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distress. The focus now is on health sector and reconstruction works in 19 affected districts. In a review meeting at Secretariat yesterday, Mr. Pattnaik has asked to constitute a team to assess the damages caused by flood and given strict instruction to the district level authorities to submit complete destruction report within a period of 15 days. He also asked different engineering departments to complete all restoration works within 45 days of time. Further, the CM has decided to continue the relief services for another 15 days for which an amount of Rs.46 crore has been sanctioned from State Relief Fund. In order to continue the relief service uninterruptedly, Mr. Naveen Pattnaik has also taken a decision to restrict the leave provision of employees during the period of Dushera. He has passed order to all the departments to allow leave of employees on roster basis. Moreover, state government has passed a unique order to issue A/c payee cheques to the victims who have lost their residence in this devastation. Government has been releasing house-building finance as Rs.25,000/- for complete damage, Rs.10,000/- for partly damaged under ‘Mo Kudia’ scheme. Government record says that there has been a distribution of 73,065 m.t. rice; 11,482 qtl. chuda; 11,454 qtl. molasses; 1640 m.t. cattle feed; 6,842 polythene sheets to number of victims in shape of relief materials. Around 60,000 packed foods served through aerial distribution. 535 free kitchens have been opened by the government to meet the requirement of people along with 422 medical teams deployed in 91 temporary health centers to provide health care services. Besides, government has supplied 2,31,925 ORS packets, 43 lakh halogen tablets, 47000 water pouches and 2,164 packets of bleaching powders till date. Notwithstanding sincere effort of government in providing huge relief materials people are in hunger and struggling for their survival. Relief services yet to reach many affected areas. Demand is high and supply is less where relief is available. Major Areas of Grave Concern: Assessment is going on. The exact number of total destruction is yet to come. Nevertheless, the compounding figure till date has shown a shocking size of devastation. The fury of flood has occupied number of lives and livestock which has not been possible at the aftermath to compute properly. The death number has been increased to 73 where it has reported the highest number of 15 deaths in both Cuttack and Kendrapara district. Following the countdown, the death figures has come as reported for different districts where havoc of flood was quite horrible:


8 death cases in Puri




7 death cases in Jajpur




4 death cases in Kalahandi

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4 death cases in Bhadrak




3 death cases in Nayagarh




3 death cases in Bolangir




3 death cases in Angul




2 death cases in Jagatsinghpur




2 death cases in Khurda




One each in Sambalpur Keonjhar district.

and

Apart from the above reported figures, more number of deaths has occurred in the state which constitutes the total number of 73. As per the recent information obtained from government source the following numbers of villages in mentioned districts are highly ravaged by the massive flow of flood water.


820 villages in 14 blocks of Cuttack




518 villages in 9 blocks of Kendrapara




188 villages in 8 blocks of Jagatsinghpur




470 villages in 10 blocks of Jajpur




883 villages in 10 blocks of Puri

Information revealed that crop and agriculture has been highly ruined in different areas of devastation. As far assessment has come, the crop loss in Kendrapara district is the highest in the state compounding a loss of 97,287 hectares. The demolished paddy fields in other districts are as follows: 80,162 hectares in Cuttack district 77,447 hectares in Puri district 51,652 hectares in Jajpur district 30,820 hectares in Jagatsinghpur district 29,681 hectares in Khurda district 30,000 hectares in Bhadrak 18,594 hectares in Bolangir 16,015 hectares in Kalahandi 15,000 hectares in Sonepur 11,000 hectares in Bargarh Government report says that nearly 4.78 lakh hectares paddy fields have been damaged and assessment in other affected regions is in process to get the exact figure of demolition. As per the information revealed till date, there has been number of breaches in different districts caused disruption in major links of communication. The highest breaches occurred in the following districts which disordered the life-style of people at large:


43 in Cuttack district




17 in Puri district




16 in Khurda district

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12 in Jagatsinghpur district




11 in Kendrapara district




More shockingly 227 in Kalahandi district




Followed by Bargarh district comprising of 124 breaches

Having a view to the aftermath condition of flood, it is apprehended that sufferings of people and the worsening situation is likely to continue until end of October because polluted water-sanitation condition and presence of epidemic is yet to play its havoc. The areas where tragedy is rampant and relief and resettlement activities are clearly apparent are as follows: Cuttack – In 2 NAC and 2 municipalities 42 wards have been affected. Human casualty recorded at 15 whereas cattle lost stands at 21 when at the same time 80190 cattle have been affected. More than 22765 houses are ruined and 80162 hectares crop fields have been demolished. Total 109 numbers of villages are still under the water circle. Prime road connectivity has been cut-off at Athagarh-Narasinghpur, Cuttack-Banki and Niali-Kantapada. 43 roads are breached and 13 embankments are breached. 30 relief camps opened and 78861 people being accommodated there. 125 free kitchen camps organized in district. 31 medical teams deployed and 6 cattle camps opened for 2209 cattle. Cuttack district saw the worst deluge in decades. About 8.79 lakh people have lost their resources in 14 blocks. Along with Banki, Athagarh, Nischintakoili and Choudwar still cut off from rest part of the district. Road communication between Cuttack and Banki has been snapped due to a big breach. Thousands of people have taken shelter mostly at schools, roofs of high stored buildings and temples. 42mauja of the district is starting to be connected with other parts. Kendrapara – Kendrapara Municipality and Pattamundai NAC has been affected under major ULBs where 40 wards are affected. 11 breaches occurred on roads and 7 breaches occurred at embankments. 128 villages are marooned so far. Crop area affected – 97287 hectares. 73202 people evacuated to safer places. 65 free kitchen centers are opened and Rs.150 lakh has been provided by the Government to provide relief operation. 75 medical teams are deployed and 21 medical relief centers are opened. Communication links to Kendrapara have been almost snapped since long. Almost all the blocks are cut off for which the relief teams found it hard to reach the flood-

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hits. The district has witnessed 2 high breaches on Luna and Paika and another breach at Chitroptala. Over 5.72 lakh people have been affected in Kendrapara while only 72,202 were evacuated till yesterday. Jagatsinghpur – Population marooned so far is 76,760 in 121 villages. Human casualty is 2. Cattle affected – 25,250 and crop area submerged – 30,820 hectares. House damaged – more than 65, 11 embankment breaches have occurred in Tirtol, Kujanga and Biridi blocks respectively and 4 road communications disconnected. Rs.55 lakh have been provided by the Government. 44 relief camps opened where 38579 persons accommodated. 21 cattle camps opened. 16 free kitchen camps opened and 9 medical teams have been deployed. Till now, life is in danger at almost all parts of Jagatsinghpur district and the situation is still disturbed. Jajpur – Even three days after the rains wreaked havoc, flood situation in the district still assumed alarming proportions today. In 2 ULBs 43 wards have been severely affected where human casualty has reached at 7. Crop areas of 46486 hectares have been affected highly. Breaches occurred at Naranpur in Baitarani river, Nimapatna in Kharasrota, Palatpur in Kelua river and Rampur in Nuanai river. 10 free kitchen centres have been arranged by the district administration for 4200 people. Puri – Puri district has been emerged as one of the most affected districts in the deltaic region. Puri along with Khruda witnessed a grim situation as Daya, Bhargavi and Kushabhadra has flooded vast areas of habitation. The NH-203, at Pipili, has been severely affected followed by a breach in Bhargavi. Similar situation has been occurred at PipiliNimapara road. Konark, Gop, Sakhigopal, Kanas and Delang blocks are seriously affected by the fury of flood. 8 human casualties have been reported in the district. 56 numbers of villages are marooned so far. Crop areas affected – 46514 hectares. 5 breaches occurred in the district. 11 road communications including 203 NH have been disrupted. 133 m. ton cattle feed supplied. 6 free kitchen centers have been opened for 13725 people. Emergency reliefs with life saving medicine are being provided by the Government. Nayagarh – Human casualty has been reported at 3 in the district. 7 free kitchen centers are opened for 9342 people. 17 medical teams have been deployed. Cattle affected 36828 and 58 livestock lost. House damaged 3168. Crop area affected 5486 hectares. Road breached 6 and 3 embankment breached. 4 cattle centers also opened with 34160 cattle. 17 relief camps opened where 20,000 people have taken shelter. Rs. 10 lakh have been provided to Dist. Administration by state government for relief distribution. Though the flood situation in 3 blocks of Gania, Bhapur and Khandapara has eased since yesterday because of the decreasing water level of Mahanadi, still the affected areas

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are having a lot of worries. Over 34,000 people of these blocks have been severely affected and 95 villages are still suffering. As many as 1,000 houses have collapsed in Chhamundia, Rasang, Belpada GPs. Cases of fever and diarrhea have started to be revealed in Bhapur block. Present Situation of Affected Areas: Lives of people are very miserable and the victims are battling for survival. Resettlement of people living in high lands and safer places has been carried out by the Government, still a large number of people yet to be settled as all the roads and other ways has been disrupted to access them. Food & Clothing: Relief provided by the government is not reaching at every point of the affected regions. Somewhere the quantity of food and cloth is scarcely available. People are hungry and thirsty since long. Particularly the children in most of the affected areas are suffering from acute hunger. Clothes and other materials at the shelter are not being adequate to the people. Health: People, particularly the children are suffering from diarrhea, fever and other waterborne diseases during these days due to water pollution. Safe drinking water is nowhere available. Almost all water sources are submerged. People are using the flood water without any scope to purify. Health care service provided by the Government is not being adequate to serve all the affected people. Agriculture & Livestock: In most of the above regions agricultural crops have been fully damaged which has broken economical backbone of the people. The lives of domestic animals and other livestock are very miserable to see from back and forth. Number of animals have lost their lives and some who survived are still in the water circle as all the routes to come out has been disconnected. Education: All schools and colleges in the affected districts are not yet opened. Number of school buildings have been collapsed and lot of other infrastructures lost due to the havoc. The teachers and other staff members have been deputed to help the people in relief and rescue operation. Immediate Need of Support Service: Material support: Dry ration, Medicines, candles & matchbox, torch & batteries, utensils, tarpaulin, feeding bottles, buckets, ropes, bedsheets with all kind of usable clothing & footwear. Logistic support: • Transport support to reach the material to effected areas

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Space for collection centers Facilities for local pickups Transportation of material from different cities . Basic Need Support: • Rice, Chiwra, biscuits, packed eatables • Water purifier tablets • Basic medicines • Sarees and children clothing • Tarpaulins or thick polythene • Bed sheets • Export surplus/ Cotton cloth for making sanitary napkins • Mosquito nets • Stoves, cooking and water storage utensils/buckets • • •

Abstract of Devastation: No. of districts – 19 No. of blocks – 137 No. of GPs - 1603 No. of villages – 6481 No. of ULBs – 27 No. of people 42,08,161

affected

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No. of death cases – 73 No. of road breaches – 1400 No. of embankment breaches 477 No. of roads disrupted – 2895 Crops land affected – 4,62,532 hectares No. of household damages – 1,69,108 No. of livestock loss - 3000 Loss of gross property – Rs.2454 crores (till date) No. of free kitchens opened by Govt. – 486

Source of Information: • Different Print Medias & News Bulletins of TV Channels • OSDMA & SRC, Govt. of Orissa • District level Emergency Officers • Field functionaries of BISWA

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