Update from ground 26th Aug 2008

Dear friends,

The flood situation in the kosi belt is very bad, and is going to get worse in the coming days.
The DM of Madhepura has ordered evacuation of Madhepura town and its surrounding areas. This order comes after water entered Madhepura today evening and water level is increasing sharply. This decision by the DM came as the government authorities were not prepared for such situation. The worst hit amongst the evacuees are the flood victims who had come to Madhepura to take refuge as their villages were washed away.

The people of Madhepura town do not know where to go, and the administration has no clue either. A few days back, all prisoners from Saharsa were moved to Madhepura as a precautionary measure. It is to be seen that where these prisoners will be shifted after Madhepura's evacuation.

As an immediate step, 10 lakh people have to evacuated otherwise they will perish. Bihar CM wants all affected people to be evacuated first, as they fear that as the water level rises, the victims cannot be reached in any way.

Mr.Nitish Kumar said that the situation is very bad, and if the flow and level of water increases, immediate step would be for people to move away from danger areas before its too late. It will not be possible to save stranded people if there is increased flow of water in flood hit areas. He said that the main priority now is to evacuate the people from those areas.

He said that areas of Supaul, Madhepura, Ararari, Purnea are badly affected, and if water keeps increasing and meets near Kursaila, then portions of Purnia and Katihar will also be badly affected. In total, 20-25 lakh people will be affected by this flood. About a dozen districts are badly affected. 16 blocks and 168 panchayat 470 villages from Supaul ,Madhepura and Araria districts are severely damage &
Army has been deployed in these districts.

I appeal to you to spread the word around and if possible, try to help the flood victims. I have been in constant touch with some people from Forbesgunj who have uploaded video clips on you tube, the links are given below:

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=skPVkqADBCY&NR=1
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=TW5ggTb9YOE
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=TW5ggTb9YOE

I am attaching email by Mr.Raj, whom I am in touch for the five- sixdays. The communication network is very bad, but somehow emails are getting through.
================================================

Raj Kumar Aug 22 (2 days ago) Forbesgunj
to Chandan
date Aug 22, 2008 7:33 PM

Dear Chandan,
Many villages have nearly been washed away & it is predicted that more water will enter the area from canals that r on the verge of breaking up. I cannot give u the exact figure but thousands of people r already dead. It is very difficult to reach out to them due to lack of convenience like boat.
Many people r on the roof starving for food which is difficult to be delivered. Except by airway. If u have a strong team who has the experience & determination to help in this situation of flood relief than pls come n help us to help them in the best possible way.
The farmers have lost their crops & home.
The boat facility is, limited to 2 speed boats supplied by the SSB. Otherwise the area was not prepared to face such a huge calamity.
From patna u can catch the train to Katihar n then next train to forbesganj. I appreciate ur willingness to help at such short notice. Effected areas--- Balua, Birpur, Chhatapur, Phulkaha, and all nearby areas.
Would be in need of chlorine tablets
............................................................................
On Aug 25

While appreciating your concern, I am giving hereunder the list of required medicines:
paracetamol 1000,spasmonil 500ORS 1000+B complex 1000entroquinol 500domperidon 500cetrizin 500
cough syrup (anti-tussive/anti allergic) 1000
Bleaching powder
Chlorine tablets
Pot. Permanganate
Sir, what is required more than medicines is the proper media coverage. In fact this is not flood. The Koshi has taken new route through the break and will continue to flow throughout the rainy season or till the repair.

The most unfortunate is the temperament and attitude of authorities. When we went to Officer in charge Dr. H.K. Singh at Local referral hospital, busy seeing patients in his private clinic, for Bleaching powder, Chlorine tablets, Pot. Permanganate etc., he was indifferent and declined about the availability of anything. The flood was well forseen and it has past about a week. Is it not astonishing that in spite of all claims of preparations by our C.M., the reality is just otherwise.

No drinking water is made available in to the trapped area, forcing the occupants to drink flood water. This is spreading diarrhea.

General Motorboats are ineffective in shallow water containing shrubs (disturbing the rotor blades) and the current makes chappu boat difficult. The causality rate is very high and the remaining lives are striving hard for survival. What we are worried is the epidemic which is bound to follow the incident.

Rest when we meet.

-Alok
Friend of Raj
===================================================

I will be leaving for Forbeshgunj shortly with medicines and water purifiers. If anyone needs any information from my end, mail me or call me at 9931763070 or email

Given below are the telephone numbers of Disaster management cell at Patna
0612-2215027
0612-2217305
0612-6452572

Please try to spread the word around and I am sure people will come forward and help the flood victims.

Thanks,
chandan
9931763070

Update on 25th Aug

This mail came from forbesgunj today;
While appreciating your concern, I am giving hereunder the list of required medicines:

paracetamol 1000,spasmonil 500ORS 1000+B complex 1000entroquinol 500domperidon 500cetrizin 500cough syrup (anti-tussive/anti allergic) 1000Bleaching powderChlorine tabletsPot. PermanganateSir, what is required more than medicines is the proper media coverage. In fact this is not flood. The Koshi has taken new route through the break and will continue to flow throughout the rainy season or till the repair.The most unfortunate is the temperament and attitude of authorities. When we went to Officer in charge Dr. H.K. Singh at Local referral hospital, busy seeing patients in his private clinic, for Bleaching powder, Chlorine tablets, Pot. Permanganate etc., he was indifferent and declined about the availability of anything. The flood was well forseen and it has past about a week. Is it not astonishing that in spite of all claims of preparations by our C.M., the reality is just otherwise.No drinking water is made available in to the trapped area, forcing the occupants to drink flood water. This is spreading diarrhea.General Motorboats are ineffective in shallow water containing shrubs (disturbing the rotor blades) and the current makes chappu boat difficult.The causality rate is very high and the remaining lives are striving hard for survival. What we are worried is the epidemic which is bound to follow the incident.Rest when we meet.-AlokFriend of Raj

I am arranging for medecines locally, consignmemt from Bhopal has not come in yet. I'll be leaving soon for kisangunj. If any of you know people in media, please ask them to have a look at Kisangunj.I had talked to them 2 days back, and had sent the contact to Alok/Raj then. They assured that they would be going there but have not as of today.

Flood situation worsens

The floods in kosi belt have caused massive damage.
The embankment breach and subsequent influx of huge water body has already claimed more than 4000 people. The situation has worsened because of the current of water,and widening of breached embankment...water is still flowing in.

At Forbesgunj, 2 boats were made available by SSB for relief..but the current has sunk the boat and its occupants. When the breach occurred a few days back, people rushed to high grounds for safety. The initial first breach. which was about 10 m wide opened up to more than 1500 meters within hours.Now, its impossible to plug it.. in a way, the river has changed its course and is flowing right into the heart of kosi belt.

I am afraid that thousands of people who has taken shelter on high grounds near the embankment would have been washed away by yesterday night as erosion and landslides have levelled down everything in the path.

I've been in constant touch with Raj at forbesgunj; the people there have arranged material for relief and are trying their best to help, but they just cant get in the water. Airdropping was the only option till yesterday.

There has been no media coverage, and the govt. which was very quiet , has at least accepted the fact and are rushing in team after team and conducting meeting after meeting.

Irrigation dept had rushed personnel to help its present staff near valmiki barrage and biratnagar, about 5 days back.. .but they were chased off by Nepali citizens.

Nepal has been very uncooperative since the change of government.

I had tried to call all media channels and newspapers as was requested by people at Forbesgunj. I hope they send in their teams to cover the damage.

Thousands of bodies are floating around, and when the water level subsides people will be able to see the magnitude of this tragedy.

I have sent chlorine tablets & ORS by train to Forbesgunj yesterday ..my colleague would be able to give more details once he reaches there.


Flood relief at Aurai block (Muzaffarpur) was undertaken smoothly...and stopped now as situation is much better & local govt. bodies are well equipped.

I am attaching a mail by Mr.Raj, whom I am in touch for the last three- four days. The communication network is very bad, but somehow emails are getting through.

I may be leaving for forbesgunj on monday/ tuesday, once I receive chlorene tablets consignment from Bhopal.

Raj Kumar Aug 22 (2 days ago) Forbesgunj

to Chandan

date Aug 22, 2008 7:33 PM


Many villages have nearly been washed away & it is predicted that more water will enter the area from canals that r on the verge of breaking up. I cannot give u the exact figure but thousands of people r already dead. It is very difficult to reach out to them due to lack of convenience like boat.

Many people r on the roof starving for food which is difficult to be delivered. Except by airway. If u have a strong team who has the experience & determination to help in this situation of flood relief than pls come n help us to help them in the best possible way.

The farmers have lost their crops & home.

The boat facility is, limited to 2 speed boats supplied by the SSB. Otherwise the area was not prepaired to face such a huge calamity.

From patna u can catch the train to Katihar n then next train to forbesganj.

I appreciate ur willingness to help at such short notice.



Effected areas--- Balua, Birpur, Chhatapur, Phulkaha, and all nearby areas.

Would be in need of chlorine tablets


+
`chandan
9931763070

Bihar Flood Relief – Your Contribution will save life

Bihar is facing its worst ever disaster in recent times and the koshi floods (river of sorrow) has ravaged the lives of millions (almost 50 lakh people) in the state. It’s impossible to even estimate the magnitude of the damage caused, lives that has been lost in the last few days as millions are stranded in marooned areas where no relief effort has reached.

Folks who have been carrying out rescue operations in the state have been in touch and the situation on ground is really heart wrenching. We are trying to supply some relief material and work with the agencies and NGO’s to provide support.

What is our focus?
Our focus is on providing clean water, Life Jacket and Plastic sheet for temporary shelter. Availability of clean drinking water is necessary to prevent any epidemic breakdown. Your donations are required for buying medicines & Plastic. You can also help us in purchasing these medicines by providing contacts.
These medicines will be delivered to Chandan Singh who is part of our team and based out of Patna. Chandan will take care of its further distribution. Distribution will be through some of the good NGOs working in the relief operations.

People behind this initiative
This initiative is driven by people from multiple bihar based groups. We have executed similar projects in past through these yahoo groups. Some of the projects that we have executed in past can be found at http://www.bihari.org/ , http://1bihar.blogspot.com/ & http://coolbihari.blogspot.com/

How these medicines will be distributed?
Last year also the group had worked for the flood relief operation and drive details are available on http://biharfloodrelief.blogspot.com/ .This year’s efforts are updated on http://biharfloodrelief2008.blogspot.com/

Transparency
Your donations will be acknowledged and account statements will be published regularly, you can track the development by this blog. Donations collected and purchases done will be displayed & it will be updated regularly.

How to transfer donation?

There are three ways you can support the flood relief activity.

1) By sending your donation to below account numbers. The funds collected will be used to purchase necessary items (Our team working at ground zero keep sending us list of items which they need for flood relief work). Items thus purchases are send to Chandan who is leading the efforts from Patna.

Online –Transfer your donations to ICICI bank
Name: Ashok Kumar Sharma,
A/C Number: XXXXXXXXX [ We are not accepting donations in personal account account any more. Please send all your donations to Prayaas. Please check details about NGO Prayaas below. ]
Branch: Jayanagar/Bangalore

ICIC0000053

ICICI BANK LTD

BANGALORE - JAYANAGAR

80-7 ELEPHANT ROCK ROAD 3RD BLOCK JAYANAGAR BANGALORE. 560011

Please mention flood relief and your name in remarks section while transferring funds
Also mention your name in the comments (will help us track).
After transfer send an email with the transfer details to ashok.1857@gmail.com
We will send you a confirmation for the same.
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Sending donations through NGO (Prayaas).
Institutional Donor and as well as individual can donate via our Sister NGO PRAYAAS
http://www.prayaas.org/

Please mention flood relief and your name in remarks section while transferring fund. Mention your name in the comments (will help us track)
Send an email with details to: Amitesh.Bharti@in.bosch.com
make a CC to: ashok.1857@gmail.com

Account in on the name of: M/S Prayaas
Current Account No. : 10447347087
Bank Address : State Bank of India, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Bank Code : 3301
IFSC code: SBIN0003301
Routing Number (Swift No.) : SBI NIN BB 147A
MICR number : 560002021

Prayaas Official Address:
Mr. Amitesh Bharti,Prayaas(r),
C1-201, GreenWood Regency,Doddakannahalli village,Carmelaram
PO, Adj. Wipro,Sarjapur Road,Bangalore – 560035, India.

If you want to send a cheque/DD:Please send the crossed A/c Payee cheque in favour of,"SBI, A/c Prayaas, Current A/c No. 10447347087"

Donar seeking Tax exemption under section 80G, please donate via PRAYAAS
The certificate & the receipt of your contribution will be dispatched by Prayaas. To get the certificate & the receipt of your contribution, Please email your name and address along with detail of your contribution to Amitesh at Amitesh.Bharti@in.bosch.com
make a CC to: ashok.1857@gmail.com

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2) We keep updating our blog for the list of items which are required at ground zero. You can buy those items and send them directly to Chandan and his team.

You can find the contact details of our team in the blog. Feel free to ask them how you can send relief materials directly to Chandan and his team.

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3) Sending money directly to CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUND.

Bihar Chief Minister Relief Fund
Write a cheque to
A/C Name: "Chief Minister Relief Fund, Bihar"
A/C No: 10839124928
Bank: State Bank of India, Secretariat Branch, Patna.
Branch Code: 153
Address: 'SINCHAI BHAWAN'
City/State: PATNA, BIHAR
Pincode: 800015
Swift Code: SBININBB156
IFSC Code: SBIN0000153
Phone: (0612) 2206684, 2224889
Email: sbi.00153@sbi.co.in
Put your Phone number, name and address on the back of the cheque.Deposit the cheque to the nearest State Bank of India cheque drop box
Disaster relief State Control Room Number:: 91-612-2217305/2215027/6452572

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NOTE: Kindly note that any left over money (In case we are not able to spend donated money) will be send to CM Relief fund. All donors will be updated accordingly when we decide to send money to CM Relief Fund.