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Flooding in India

Flood-affected people are evacuated to safer grounds by a rescue team at Chondipur village of Madhepura district in India's eastern state of Bihar August 31, 2008. Photo: REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Sixteen districts in the state of Bihar experienced serious flooding after monsoon rains caused the Kosi River to break its banks on 18 August 2008.

“Whole villages were destroyed and people left with nothing. Huge numbers were marooned with no food or drinking water. Oxfam provided vital emergency assistance including clean water and shelter to these people“, said Nisha Agrawal, CEO of Oxfam India.

The most critically affected districts were Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnea and Katihar. Murliganj, a once thriving market town in Madhepura was all but washed away.

At least 70 people died, many drowning from capsizing boats as people struggled to escape the rising waters. More than 300,000 people had to be evacuated to safety.

Relief camps were set up to support up to 100,000 people. Keeping people healthy in these camps is a major challenge, with the wet conditions making the outbreak of disease a very real threat.  We are using motorboats to rescue stranded men, women and children from Supaul, the worst affected district. Contingency stocks of tarpaulin shelter sheets, water purification kits, buckets and Oral Rehydration Sachets (ORS), kept in readiness in flood prone districts, have also been moved to provide support to the affected. Staffers from Oxfam and two local organisations, as well as trained volunteers, are working round the clock in Supaul.

Flood-affected people move to safer grounds through a flooded road in Madhepura town in India's eastern state of Bihar August 30, 2008. Photo: REUTERS/ Krishna Murari Kishan

In our response, we supported at least 20,000 families in Basantpur and Pratapganj, two of the worst affected blocks of Supaul. “We are scaling up our response on temporary shelter, food, water and sanitation. Women and children are particularly facing the brunt in cramped camps or are exposed to heat and the rains under the open sky. Pregnant and lactating mothers are not getting safe water and are forced to defecate in floodwaters. The need for hygiene and sanitation is imminent to prevent the spread of any water-borne epidemic,” Nisha says.

How you can help

Although we are no longer calling for funds towards this program, you can help support our ongoing emergency work by donating to our International Crisis Fund.