BIHAR: Living through the nightmare
As flood waters recede in Bihar state, millions of underfed children are finding themselves at risk to disease. Thousands are still grounded on embankments or living in makeshift shelters on highways.
Oppressive heat, sudden showers and filthy conditions are making flood victims easy targets for infections.
Even as land routes have been restored to some villages that were cut off by the floods, several roads in Madhubani, Samastipur, Darbhanga, begusarai, Sheohar, and Sitamarhi districts remain blocked. Survivors say the rescue and relief operations of the state government continue to founder.
“Sometimes pilots drop 50 packets at an abandoned stretch five kilometres away from where people are waiting for them,” says Amar of Samajik Shodh Evam Vikas Kendra (SSEVK), an ActionAid
partner organisation that is working with flood survivors in East Champaran district.
Yesterday police in Sonebarsa block in Saharsa district used batons to disperse a crowd of flood survivors protesting the paucity of government aid. A man was killed in the clash and four others injured.
“Bihar’s poorest people, especially women and children, are living through the worst nightmare,” says ActionAid’s Emergencies Advisor for Asia Unnikrishnan PV. The United Nations has called
the floods in Bihar the worst ever.
As many as 162 people in the state have lost their lives. Over 14 million people in 7254 villages spread over 19 districts are affected. Hunger and disease stalk each afflicted district.
The local administration estimates government property worth Rs 1212, 00, 000 and 125459 houses were destroyed. Floods have washed away crops worth tens of millions of dollars.
Without medical assistance, reports say over 300 still born babies were delivered in flood-hit areas. Water-borne diseases are on the rise. Reports say that several children are already suffering from acute diarrhoea. In East Champaran itself, seven people died of the infection last week.
Women are feeling the brunt of unhygienic conditions. “Men and women are forced to be at the same place, and they don’t have their usual places for toilets,” says Amar of SSEVK.
The state government is struggling to contend with the crisis but as people clash over food packets dropped by helicopters and packaging often proves too weak to stand the impact of the drop, helplessness is giving way to anger. Many villagers have not had food parcels for days. Children are losing out to adults in the grab for food.
Questions over compensation
Government relief efforts picked up after Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned from his trip to Mauritius. Central government has reportedly offered Rs 2,000 per hectare to farmers for damage of standing crops. This would be matched by the state government. But questions remain over support for the poorest.
“Compensation to landowners who have lost crops will do little to help millions of landless agricultural labourers who are losing the daily wage their families depend on for survival,” says Vinay Ohhar who leads ActionAid’s work in Bihar.
ActionAid’s response
ActionAid’s local partner organisations are active in the four worst hit districts of Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran. Emergency response teams are working with the local communities and using boats, bullock carts, motorbikes and jeeps to reach stranded people.
Field workers are distributing dry food items including puffed rice, jaggery and grains and materials to build temporary shelters.
Oral rehydration solution packets and water purification kits are also being provided. Childbirth and sanitary kits have been made available to women. In East Champaran five women have given birth using the delivery kits.
ActionAid was part of a delegation to the state relief commissioner, making him aware of the badly-affected communities where relief efforts are falling short. He expressed will to work more closely with NGOs to improve the quality and reach of the aid effort. This now needs to be followed with clear instructions to local administration so that cooperation and coordination become a reality.
Still at risk
The state remains exposed to flooding as embankments have remained unfixed and broken at several places for 20 years.
Also, Nepal opens its reservoirs to release excess water during heavy rains causing rivers in northern India to swell, say news reports. Bihar Chief Minister has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to speed up talks with neighbouring Nepal for finding out a permanent solution to the recurring floods in the state.
“The current flood underlines the fact that disasters don’t respect national boundaries. This illustrates the pressing need for a holistic response. Putting people at the centre stage of flood response is the first step,” adds Unnikrishnan PV.
Updated 13/08/2007
Photo credit: ActionAid
