Monsoon rains causing havoc in India

Floods caused by the monsoon rains currently sweeping through India are causing havoc in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka. ActionAid is responding across the region supporting the most vulnerable communities.

According to official sources more than 350 people have died and millions more have been affected as people’s homes, assets and livelihoods are swamped by water from overflowing dams and rivers.

Many areas are still isolated and limited access to affected areas is hampering relief efforts. Government relief has been insufficient and has not reached all areas affected.

“The situation is desperate. Whilst quick action by communities and rescue services has saved many lives, there is still great danger in the days to come.

“Millions of people have lost their homes and belongings. They are vulnerable to disease and in desperate need of relief supplies and clean water," says Jagat Patnaik, ActionAid India’s flood response programme manager.

Rajasthan
Officials sources say 135 people have died as the result of heavy flooding, but the final death toll could be much higher. Up to 2 million people are affected with many villages either still submerged or marooned.

Gujarat
Over 7 million people are affected. The city of Surat and the surrounding villages are under water and people have been forced to stay on the roofs of their homes waiting for relief aid. 90% of Surat is isolated. Other districts in central and south Gujarat are also affected.

Maharashtra
Floods and landslides have destroyed homes and crops. Many of the worst affected areas are inhabited by poor and marginalised groups who are now in urgent need of food, medicines and shelter.

Andhra Pradesh
The inhabitants of thousands of coastal villages and the Telangana regions are struggling. 5,412 villages in 16 districts are affected; 350 of these are marooned.

Karnataka
ActionAid works with the Karnataka Flood Response Forum (KFRF) in this state. We are expecting more details about the situation there in the next days.

ActionAid’s response:

In Rajasthan, Action is working with local partners the Lok Adhikaar Network, providing clean water, food and clothing to those most affected by the floods.
In Gujarat ActionAid is working with The Citizen’s initiative (CI), a collective of various grassroots organisations. An assessment team is currently in the field to gather the analysis that will inform immediate relief and longer-term plans.
In Maharashtra ActionAid is also part of a collective/flood coordinating group. We are supporting thousands of people with food, medicines, plastic sheets and temporary shelter with the help of local volunteers.
In Andhra Pradesh ActionAid is working in 7 slums in the town of Srikakulam providing water, bread, milk and water purification tables to 1.000 families. We are also working in the East Godavari district helping 400 families not reached by the government relief operation