Nepal Flooding

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Source: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/RMOI-7HQVNX?OpenDocument


Date: 21 Aug 2008
More than 50,000 flee floods in southeastern Nepal

Nepal, Aug 21, 2008 - Nepali officials say that more than 50,000 people have now reportedly fled their homes after a dam collapsed in southeastern Nepal. At least four people have been killed in the flooding, according to local Kantipur Online (KOL). However, Nepalnews says that reports suggest that dozens may have lost their lives in the floods. The Chief District Officer (CDO) of Sunsari district says that a major rescue operation is under way, the BBC reported. He said that so far 19,000 people have been removed from the flood-affected area but thousands more still needed to be evacuated, the BBC reported. The flooding occurred after the Koshi dam on the Saptakoshi River in Sunsari district collapsed on Monday (August 18) after overflowing embankments. Hundreds of army troops and police officers are involved in the rescue mission, and local Neplanews.com reported that on Thursday (August 21) army helicopters were used to ferry 5,000 people in flooded villages to safer places. According to the BBC, the Sunsari CDO, Durga Nath Bhandari, said that negotiations are taking place between Indian and Nepalese officials on the rebuilding of the dam at Biranagar. He said that it would take at least three weeks for transport to get back to normal as the road which connects the southeast to the rest of Nepal is under water, the BBC reported. According to the BBC, health officials say that they are concerned about an outbreak of waterborne disease and say that six people have died so far. Police say that many people suffering from diarrhea and fever have been taken to the district hospital. According to KOL, that number is at more than 50. The local community health office said that a majority of the displaced children and elderly have succumbed to pneumonia and fever. Some aid workers also say that drinking water is scarce and some people have not eaten properly for three days, according to the BBC. KOL reported that relief distributions started Thursday and social workers are beginning to provide meals to the displaced.
Source: Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance

 

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Re: Nepal Flooding

Source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?nid=157939

Authorities face problem managing shelter
Numbers of flood displaced swelling

BY SHANKER KHAREL

SUNSARI, Aug 23 - The condition of evacuees taking shelter at various government buildings, schools and camps is getting worse everyday as the number of flood victims swells without any sign of respite. Only on Friday, rescue personnel evacuated over 1000 people from various waterlogged settlements.

With the population inside shelters for the displaced rising abruptly, it has become harder for the authority to manage them and provide food, water and health care. As the 11 shelters for the displaced could not hold the overwhelming crowd, 10 additional shelters were established to house Saptakoshi evacuees.

According to Local Development Officer (LDO) Guru Prasad Subedi, two organizations have taken the responsibility of providing food to displaced people inside the shelters for two weeks and the local administration has a supply of foodstuff enough only for a week.

"Due to lack of mattresses the displaced are compelled to sleep on the floor. This has led to various health complications like common cold, chest infection, fever and pneumonia among them," Subedi said.

Over 2000 people, especially children, women and the elderly inside these shelters have various health problems. Over six dozen have been admitted to hospitals in the district.

Health workers fear that the number of sick could rise as these shelters lack clean drinking water and the area is polluted. Regional Health Directorate, local hospitals and various organizations like Red Cross Society have been assisting with medical care.

Meanwhile, Disaster Risk Relief Committee has decided to establish a separate sector to house the displaced temporarily. LDO Subedi said that flood hit people sheltering in government buildings and schools will be shifted to the displaced sector in a couple of days.
Reconstruction of breached embankment to begin soon

Security authorities from Nepal and India on Friday agreed to reconstruct the Kusaha embankment, ruptured by the Saptakoshi River five days ago.

According to Eastern Regional Police Chief Rajendra Pratap Shah, the two sides decided to initiate reconstruction immediately as the flood water has begun to subside, creating favorable environment for rebuilding the embankment.

As per the agreement, a local security committee will also be formed to ensure the security of Indian workers assigned for reconstruction of the embankment.

The Indian side had pledged full support and assistance in the embankment reconstruction, provided the Nepali side guaranteed security for their team. It has been estimated that the reconstruction will take over one month to complete.

Meanwhile, a team of technicians from Nepal has started to survey the section of the East-West Highway damaged by the flood to initiate highway reconstruction. Irrigation and Road Division officers from other eastern districts have also been called in to assist in the reconstruction of the damaged section of the highway .

Technicians say it will take at least three weeks for the highway to become temporarily operational. f

Locals vent fury at delayed embankment reconstruction

SUNSARI-- Locals of Saptakoshi flood affected area have expressed anger against both Indian and Nepali sides for delay in the control of flood water. They say that if the flood water is not controlled immediately, the course of Saptakoshi could expand further, triggering crisis in those villages that are not yet hit by the flood.

The river has shifted its course toward Kusaha, Shreepur, Haripur and Laukahi areas instead of the barrage. The Koshi barrage that usually has water flow of 150,000 to 200,000 cusecs is receiving only 50,000 cusec flow. Irate locals allege that both the Nepali and Indian sides remaining apathetic to their plight.

Posted on: 2008-08-22 20:47:16

 

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Re: Nepal Flooding

Source: http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/aug/aug28/news03.php

Two dead, thousands fall sick in camps for flood displaced

Over 5,000 people displaced from their homes by last week?s Saptakoshi flood and taking shelter at the 23 camps in Sunsari are suffering from various health related problems, mainly pneumonia and high fever. Reports also say that two of them have died while more than two dozens are in serious condition.

One Garmi Mandal, 70, of Haripur-4 died due to hypothermia inside camp 5, reports quoted Sunsari Police as saying. Likewise, Shyama Devi Sharma, 45, of Kusaha-4 died at BP Koirala Institute of Health Science (BPIKHS). She was suffering from diarrhea. Health workers involved in treating the sick say that more than 24 persons displaced by flood have been admitted to hospitals at Inaruwa and Dharan for treatment. Most of them are said to be in critical condition.

A medical team from military hospital is also treating the sick and the injured in 23 government camps in the district. Similarly, medical teams from Red Cross, BPKIHS and Birat Hospital including others are also involved in treating those suffering from various health related problems in the camp.

According to doctors involved in treating the patients, lack of safe drinking water, sanitation and bedding in the camps is causing the number of sick inside these camps to increase.

In another report, a team of technicians of the Ministry for Water Resource began repairing spurs of the embankment eroded by the Saptakoshi deluge from Wednesday, according to the Kathmandu Post.

The report said that the team repaired spurs number 11 and 12 on Wednesday. It is claimed that this would now protect spur-15 from getting eroded as the river waters could change its course.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has directed its authorities concerned to focus on finding an immediate solution of the Koshi deluge and has decided to hold discussion with Nepal to find a long-term solution to the problem. nepalnews.com Aug 28 08