Image source: Danik Jagran

During the monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September, India receives nearly 80% of its annual rainfall. The 2023 monsoon season was particularly erratic and severe, causing devastating floods and one major cyclone. Certain areas received their highest rainfall in decades, and in total, over 2,000 died due to flooding-related incidents and 1,584 other individuals were injured.

Himachal Pradesh was hit the hardest by flooding and its aftereffects; over 330 died, and thousands of roads were blocked or waterlogged. Torrential rains in August triggered landslides and destroyed several homes and roads. Haryana was put under a flood warning for the first time in history, and farmers feared losing upwards of 30% of their yield of rice. In Karnataka, 107 people died as a result of floods. Dozens of states across India were impacted by storms between April and December, 2023.

On June 12, alerts were issued to authorities in Gujarat as Cyclone Biparjoy rapidly approached. Biparjoy made landfall on June 16, where it began to uproot trees, destroy telephone and electricity poles, and damage roads. In total, 94,000 individuals were evacuated in Gujarat, and heavy rainfall soon spread northeast to Rajasthan.

Response of ActionAid Association (AAA):

In 2023, ActionAid Association responded to major emergencies by providing humanitarian support, impacting more than 46,000 people. These emergencies included floods in Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi, and Punjab and cyclones in Gujarat and southern India.

In the aftermath of Cyclone Biparjoy in Gujarat, 790 ration kits, 1000 pieces of tarpaulin, and 200 sanitary pads were distributed as emergency support to Dalits, NT/DNTs, Muslims, single women, and PWDs.