Disease and hunger loom large in flood-affected Bihar

Even as flood waters had begun receding in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, intermittent rains have driven families from their homes.

Low lying areas where Dalits live are the worst-affected. Flood water is still accumulated in these areas. In East Champaran district, 80 Dalit houses were uprooted in a storm that hit Motihari block yesterday.

This year floods fuelled by release of dam waters had spread to new areas adding to the millions already rendered homeless, hungry, and exposed to life-threatening diseases. 

Two weeks back the overfilled Chandan dam had swamped five blocks in Banka, a new addition to the list of flood-hit districts.

Also, the state government had released excess water from Valmiki Nagar dam located in West Champaran district, flooding a number of areas in its wake.

Floods have killed 620 people in Bihar since the onset of monsoon in June. People’s lives are in constant danger as boats capsize, homes get submerged, and storms uproot huts.

There are urgent calls for more tarpaulins and shelter materials for those who have been rendered homeless. Sanitary towels and childbirth kits are also running short.

Disease at the doorstep

For a major part of the monsoon, thousands were grounded on embankments or living in makeshift shelters on highways, railway stations and rooftops.

Adults and children already short of food are now at risk of disease. 

Oppressive heat, sudden showers and filthy conditions are making flood victims easy targets for infections. Many water sources are contaminated or submerged.

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.

Women bear the brunt

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 Samajik Shodh Evam Vikas Kendra (SSEVK), an ActionAid partner organisation that is working with flood survivors in East Champaran district.

More supplies for women including sanitary napkins and delivery kits are urgently needed.

Government response falling far short 

Survivors say the rescue and relief operations of the state government were far from adequate. Helicopters were used to drop food parcels in only two districts – Samastipur and Darbhanga.

“Our friends in these districts say that 4,000 food parcels were being dropped by helicopters while at least 50,000 were needed. This is a massive shortfall. Also, pilots sometimes dropped packets in abandoned areas far from where people are waiting for them,” says Amar of SSEVK.

The state government was struggling to contend with the crisis but as people clashed over food packets dropped by helicopters, helplessness had given way to anger. Children were losing out to adults in the grab for food.

On August 12, 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. 

Over 21 million people in 10296 villages are affected. 

The local administration estimates property worth Rs 22025 million and 584478 houses were either damaged or destroyed. Floods have washed away crops worth tens of millions of dollars. 

Questions over compensation

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.

Government relief efforts picked up slightly after Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned from his trip to Mauritius. Each affected family is entitled to 50 kilos of rice, 50 kilos of wheat and Rs 400. The family of a person killed by floods would receive Rs 100,000.

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 bullock carts, motorbikes, boats and jeeps to reach homeless survivors.

Field workers are distributing oral rehydration solution packets and water purification kits. Dry food items including flattened rice, jaggery and grains and tarpaulins to build temporary shelters are also being provided.

Bleaching and chlorine powder have been sprayed into 400 tube wells and hand pumps. Childbirth and sanitary kits have been made available to women. A number of women have given birth without a midwife 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.