Jump to content

2007 South Asian floods

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 65.94.250.244 (talk) at 17:27, 19 August 2007. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article refers to the multiple concurrent floods in South Asia between July 3 and August 15 2007 (Dartmouth Flood Observatory numbers DFO115,121,124,129,136,143,153,155,157 and 158). See other articles for other floods in South Asia in 2007, e.g. those caused by Cyclone Yemyin, or other floods at the same time in South East or East Asia, e.g the China floods.
2007 South Asian floods
Residents of Keraniganj walk on a bridge on the bank of the flooded Buriganga river.
DateJuly 3, 2007 - August 15, 2007
LocationIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan
Deaths2,000 +
Property damageAt least Rs. 50 crores (USD120 million)

The 2007 South Asian floods are a series of floods in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. News Agencies, citing the Indian and Bangladesh governments, place the death toll in excess of 2,000[1]. By August 3 approximately twenty million had been displaced[2] and by August 10, some 30 million people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal had been affected by flooding.[3]

The United Nations called the flooding the worst in living memory.[4]

Background

B. P. Yadav of the Indian Meteorological Department reported that "we've been getting constant rainfall in these areas for nearly 20 days" due to abnormal monsoon patterns.[2] Flooding in Pakistan began during the landfall of Cyclone 03B in June 2007. Pakistani states Balochistan and Sindh were particularly affected.[5] Melting snow from the Himalayan glaciers increased the water levels of the Brahmaputra River.[6]

Areas affected in Bangladesh

By August 1, there was flooding on the Padma and Brahmaputra rivers.[7] By August 3, the main highway connecting Dhaka to the rest of the country was impassable,[2] many districts were flood-affected[4] and 500,000 people had been marooned.[7] By August 7 an estimated 7.5 million people had fled their homes.[8] By August 8 more than 50,000 people had diarrhoea or other waterborne diseases[9] and more than 400,000 people were in temporary shelters.[10] By August 11, flood deaths were still occurring in Bangladesh, the number of people with flood-related diseases was increasing[11] and about 100,000 people had caught dysentery or diarrhoea.[12] By August 13, the confirmed death toll in Bangladesh was 405.[13]

By August 15, five million people were still displaced, the estimated death toll was nearly 500,[14] and all six of Bangladesh's divisions were affected.

Barisal

Bandarban in Barisal was affected by flooding on July 21.[15]

Chittagong

Districts in Barisal that were affected by flooding on July 21 include Feni, Comilla, Khagrachari and Bhola.[16]

Dhaka

Districts in Dhaka that were affected by flooding on July 21 include Dhaka, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Manikganj, Netrakona, Jamalpur and Tangail.[17]

Khulna

Districts in Khulna that were affected by flooding on July 21 include Narail and Magura.[18]

Rajshahi

Districts in Rajshahi that were affected by flooding on July 21 include Sirajganj, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Bogra and Kurigram.[19]

Sylhet

Districts in Sylhet that were affected by flooding on July 21 include Sylhet, Sunamganj and Sherpur.[20]

Areas affected in Bhutan

In Bhutan, the rain had led to landslides across the country, disrupting a number of major roads.[7]

Samdrup Jongkhar and Sarpang

By August 5, water was still above the warning level in the foothills of Bhutan.[21]

Areas affected in India

File:India subdivisions flood hit between July 26 and August 15 2007.png
India states affected by flooding between July 26 and August 15 2007 (marked in blue).

By August 7 in India, an estimated 13.7 million people had fled their homes.[22] According to the Indian government, the total cost of the monsoon this year, of which these floods are a part, is in excess of Rs. 130 crores (32 million USD) since June 1[1] The full extent of the damage and number of lives lost may never be known.[23] President Pratibha Patil has condoled the loss of lives due to the floods.[24]

Arunachal Pradesh

Places in Arunachal Pradesh, a state administered and claimed by India and claimed by China, that were affected by flooding on July 12 include Lakhimpur, Chamuah Gaon, Nowboicha and Bharaluwa Gaon.[25]

Assam

In Assam, approximately 100,000 sought shelter in 500 government-sponsored relief camps. Millions of dollars' worth of crops were also destroyed.[2] 500,000 residents in Assam were displaced, and nineteen have been killed. On August 1, 2007, a teenage boy from Assam was shot by a police officer after a flood as survivors attacked a group of aid workers.[6]

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were the hardest hit states due to their high population density. By August 3, the estimated death toll was 41 people, and 48 schoolgirls were marooned in a school in the Darbhanga district.[7][24] By August 8, an estimated 10 million people in Bihar had been affected by flooding.[26] Army helicopters delivered food packets to Bihar residents and 180 relief camps were set up. By August 10, aid workers in Bihar said the number of people with diarrhoea had jumped dramatically[27] and by August 11, flood deaths were still occurring.[28]

Gujarat

On August 8, Jamnagar reported 269 millimetres (10 inches) of rain[1] and fresh flooding was reported in Gujarat.[29] By the next day, nine people had been killed[1] and more than 400 villages were cut off.[30] By August 10, more than 22,000 people were displaced[31] and health workers were disinfecting the worst-hit areas.[32]

Haryana

Haryana was affected by flooding on August 12.[33]

Himachal Pradesh

On August 14 in Himachal Pradesh, a cloudburst caused a landslide that buried an entire village, killing an estimated 60 people.[34]

Jammu and Kashmir

Parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the part of Kashmir administered by India, that were affected by flooding on August 12 include Jammu city, Udhampur, Nikki Tawi, and lower Satwari.[35]

Jharkhand and West Bengal

While relief efforts have been concentrated elsewhere in India, the plight of the traditional region of Bengal (the flood plains of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river delta and its tributaries) has been less reported. The Damodar and Kangsabati rivers overflowed their banks in late June, but levels finally began to fall as of August 6th. [36] The Durgapur Barrage and Kangsabati Dam (near Bankura) may be partly responsible. In North Bengal, the floods have caused economic damage also estimated in the millions of U.S. dollars (at least Rs. 50 crores); and in Siliguri, flash floods have wiped away at least 100 houses on a single night (July 28,2007). The state government of West Bengal has set up facilities to house 50,000 refugees. As the flood has affected parts of the East Midnapore (Purba Medinipur) district, long-standing political divisions and conflicts have flared in the wake of the floods.

Kerala

Kerala was affected by flooding on July 16.[37]

Maharashtra

By August 3 most streets were flooded in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra were waterlogged.[38] On August 7 there was extensive flooding in the Gadchiroli district.[39]

Meghalaya

Places in Meghalaya that were affected by flooding on July 12 include the West Garo Hills district, the Tura and Rishipara areas. [40]

National Capital Territory of Delhi

New Delhi was also affected by the heavy rains.[5]

Orissa

On August 8, fresh flooding was reported in Orissa.[41]

Punjab

Punjab was affected by flooding on August 12.[42]

Tripura

Places in Tripura that were affected by flooding on July 12 include Udaipur, Amarpur and Sonamura.[43]

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, which was known as Uttaranchal until 2006, was affected by flooding on August 12.[44]

Areas affected in Pakistan

Sindh

By August 11, 28 people had died in rain-related accidents in Sindh.[45] By August 12, flood waters were sweeping through villages in southern Pakistan.[46]

North-West Frontier Province

The Kohistan district of the North-West Frontier was affected by flooding on August 12.[47]

Areas affected in Nepal

In Nepal, eighty-four people were killed by the floods and resulting landslides and 9,700 families were displaced. Twenty-eight of the country's seventy-five districts were affected,[5] in all five of Nepal's regions. Nepali officials were concerned about the spread of waterborne diseases.[7] By August 7 an estimated 333,500 people in Nepal were affected by flooding.[48]

Central Zone

Districts in the Central Zone that were affected by flooding from July 23 include Mahottari, Banke, Chitwan, Dhanusha, Sindhuli, Sarlahi, Ramechhap and Rautahat.[49]

East Zone

Districts in the East Zone that were affected by flooding from July 23 include Sunsari, Jhapa, Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Saptari, Morang, Solukhumbu, Siraha and Baglung.[50]

Far West Zone

Districts in the Far West Zone that were affected by flooding from July 23 include Kailali, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi and Darchula.[51]

Mid West Zone

Districts in the Mid West Zone that were affected by flooding from July 23 include Bardiya, Dang, and Surkhet.[52]

West Zone

Districts in the West Zone that were affected by flooding from July 23 include Nawalparasi and Gulmi.[53]

International response

By August 15, non-governmental organisations, many with contributions from governments, that were contributing aid included Malteser International,[54] Deutsche Welthungerhilfe,[55] Direct Relief International,[56] World Concern,[57] Islamic Relief,[58] Church World Service,[59] International Save the Children Alliance,[60] Lutheran World Relief,[61] Medical Teams International,[62] Care International,[63] Catholic Relief Services,[64] British Red Cross Society,[65] World Vision,[66] Diakonie Emergency Aid,[67] David McAntony Gibson Foundation,[68] Caritas Internationalis,[69] Action by Churches Together (ACT),[70] Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA),[71][72] Baptist World Aid (BWAid),[73] Mercy Corps,[74] and many others.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "South Asia floods death toll passes 2,000; India releases disaster relief". Forbes. August 9, 2007. Last accessed August 10, 2007 Cite error: The named reference "AFX" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d "Floods Leave Millions Homeless in India, Bangladesh". NPR. August 3, 2007. Last accessed August 3, 2007
  3. ^ "Floods show need for disaster risk reduction - UN". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Millions of people across South Asia affected by monsoonal flooding". UNICEF. August 3, 2007. Last accessed August 8, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c "Millions flee 'worst ever' floods". CNN. August 3, 2007. Last accessed August 3, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Hussain, Zarir (August 2, 2007). "India floods leave children without food, water". Agence France-Presse. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Last accessed August 3, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Bangladesh, India floods leave thousands stranded". Reuters. August 1, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Last accessed August 3, 2007.
  8. ^ "Caritas Responds to Monsoon Devastation in South Asia". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Hunger, disease stalk children hit by South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Hunger, disease stalk children hit by South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Flood victims clash with police in India, 30 hurt". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Bangladeshi hospital struggles to cope with flood victims". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "B'desh cancels hospital leave to combat disease". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Bangladesh flood death toll nears 500, thousands ill". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  16. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  17. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  18. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  19. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  20. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  21. ^ UNICEF Situation Report India floods - External 05 Aug 2007
  22. ^ "Caritas Responds to Monsoon Devastation in South Asia". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Daily India". July 29,2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ a b "North India inundated". Hindustan Times. August 3, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Last accessed August 3, 2007.
  25. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO121
  26. ^ "Hunger, disease stalk children hit by South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Bangladeshi hospital struggles to cope with flood victims". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Flood victims clash with police in India, 30 hurt". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Hunger, disease stalk children hit by South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Flood rains hit new India regions". BBC News Online. BBC. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Sickness spreads in S Asia floods". BBC News Online. BBC. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Bangladeshi hospital struggles to cope with flood victims". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO157
  34. ^ "Sixty feared dead in landslide in Indian Himalayas". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO157
  36. ^ "India: Situation report - Deep depression/flood, 09 Jul 2007". Relief Web International. July 26, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO124
  38. ^ "Devastating floods hit South Asia". BBC News Online. BBC. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "Time and money running out as floods continue to devastate south Asia". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO121
  41. ^ "Hunger, disease stalk children hit by South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO157
  43. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO129
  44. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO157
  45. ^ "Flood victims clash with police in India, 30 hurt". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ "As South Asia Floods Recede, Urgent Aid Still Needed". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO158
  48. ^ "NEPAL: Flood victims complain of lack of aid, slow delivery". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO136
  50. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO136
  51. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO136
  52. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO136
  53. ^ Dartmouth Flood Observatory 2007 Global Register of Major Flood Events, flood number DFO136
  54. ^ "Flood disaster in South Asia: Malteser International responds to flood in Pakistan". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  55. ^ "Flood disaster in South Asia : Welthungerhilfe increases relief funds". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ "Direct Relief Supports South Asia Partners Dealing With Heavy Flooding". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ "Bangladesh Disaster". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ "IR response to Bangladesh Floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  59. ^ "CWS appeal: India floods (Assam, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal)". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. ^ "Save the Children Assists Children and Families Imperiled by South Asian Floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ "Lutheran World Relief Responding To Floods In India". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ "Medical Teams International Responds to South Asia Floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ "CARE launches £2.5 million appeal for South Asia floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ "CRS Commits $5 Million to South Asia Monsoon Efforts". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  65. ^ "News - Red Cross works in flood-stricken Asia". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ^ "South Asia floods - World Vision warns worse may yet be to come". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ "Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe stellt weitere 250.000 Euro bereit". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  68. ^ "GlobalMedic responds to Bangladesh Floods". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  69. ^ "Caritas Responds to Monsoon Devastation in South Asia". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ "ACT Rapid Response Payment for Floods in West Bengal, India". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ "Flood Survivors in Southeast Asia Receive Desperately Needed Aid from ADRA". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  72. ^ "Hungry South Asia flood victims fight over food". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  73. ^ "Asia Flood Appeal - August 2007". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ "Mercy Corps Responds To South Asia Flooding". AlertNet. Reuters Foundation. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)