Flooding Fury in India: Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and Bihar States

World Vision has launched an emergency response to support communities affected by severe flooding in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and Bihar. The flooding has affected the lives of 5 million people in India, displacing thousands.

In Jammu & Kashmir, World Vision will continue to work closely with the Government and other agencies for a coordinated response. World Vision India has also committed to releasing 5000 Pre-positioned Non-Food Item Kits.

In Assam and Bihar,  World Vision India was part of the Joint Assessments in the states of Assam and Bihar. The are supplying emergency supplies of food and non-food items.

SECTORS & TARGETS for Emergency Response
•    Food
•    Non-Food Items
•    WASH
 
JAMMU & KASHMIR FLOODS
The worst floods in the last 60 years hit the State of Jammu & Kashmir raising the death toll to over 200. Over 600,000 people are stranded and await help. The worst affected are the districts in South Kashmir. Media reports say that more than 1,000,000 people are affected.

Over 30% of the capital city, Srinagar, is under flood waters. People wait for rescue on terraces and rooftops. Many have lost contact with their families as phone lines are not functioning. Hospitals are also submerged in the capital city of Srinagar.

The Army, Air Force, Navy and National Disaster Relief Forces collectively evacuated 96,000 people so far through their rescue operations. Ten districts are worst affected including: Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Budgam, Rajuri, Poonch and Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir State. Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama districts are completely cut off.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said 2,500 villages were affected, out of which 450 were completely submerged.

"Paddy, maize, vegetable, and fruit crops over a large area have been destroyed, while much of public infrastructure and private property were damaged," was a concern raised by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.

There is extensive damage to property and infrastructure. Roads, bridges, buildings, power installations units and crops have been damaged by landslides triggered due to heavy rainfall. Sources of drinking water are inundated and contaminated resulting in depleting sources of drinking water.

According to Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, communication and connectivity is now the biggest challenge in the massive rescue operation in flood-ravaged Kashmir.

ASSAM FLOODS
The flood situation in Assam has affected 287,000 people across 1,066 villages in 15 districts in the state and 90,867 hectares of cropland have been affected. 5 districts of Kamrup, Sonitpur, Darrang, and Udalguri along with Dhemaji and Lakhimpur are the worst affected.

Distribution in Utmara. In addition to hygiene items, dry ration packs for each family included: rice, dal, mustard oil, sugar, and salt.

BIHAR FLOODS
Destruction spread over 1,246 villages, the Bihar Floods has ravaged 15 districts in the state, affecting over 1,605,000 people and 100,000 animals. 300,000 hectares of standing crop has being washed away. 2500 houses have collapsed and property worth USD $ 9.6 million lost. The worst affected districts include Darbhanga, Nalanda, West Champaran, Supaul, and Sitamarhi.