The floods of July-August 2017 have thrown lives and livelihoods of many elderly out of gear in the four states of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

HelpAge is responding with urgency and empathy. Leading the Assam relief operations is Nilondra Tanya, State Head North East.

Monsoons this year have led to extensive flooding in different states of India. In Assam nearly 33 lakh people were affected as flooding affected as many as 25 of the 32 districts including Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta and Bongaigaon. In Bihar, 15.8 million population of 7310 village of 23 district is affected the floods following heavy rainfall and breach of embankments by the Mahananda, Parman, Sursar, Khado, Tilyuga, Kamla, Bagmati, Gandak, Budhi Gandak rivers. The districts of Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Motihari, Darbhanga, Kishanganj, Muzaffapur, Bettiah, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura and Khagaria are among the worst affected according to our on ground staff teams involved in rescue operations. In Rajasthan, the five districts of Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Jodhpur and Barmer having faced incessant rain through the month of July, 2017 forcing lakhs of people to find shelter at higher ground are now staring at the possibility of disease due to vector borne diseases.

These states affected due to severe flood conditions are seeing massive destruction to houses, livestock, agriculture, land & properties and livelihoods of the local people have been acutely affected. According to a report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 1,01,809 people are reeling under the floods just in the two districts alone (Lakhimpur and Karimganj), where 140 villages are under water. The calamity has damaged crops in 385.67 hectares of land. The infrastructure damage includes breach of an agricultural embankment and a PWD road in Lakhimpur district, an embankment in Sonitpur district along with severe erosion in Morigaon district.

HelpAge on-ground teams working in Kamrupmetro and Morigaon, which are some of the worst-hit districts of Assam, tell us, that the state is reeling under, the worst floods in 30 years. Northeast’s biggest city, Guwahati, saw the Brahmaputra waters swell and cross the danger level mark signaling more havoc. More than 100 people have died and more than 32 lakh affected in 25 districts. More than 41,000 displaced people have taken shelter in 128 relief camps.

Day-5 of Medical Relief Camp held at L P School Teteliguri village. 430 patients from Pavekati Gram panchayat, Mayong Development Block, Morigaon District received treatment.

Thousands of elderly are in desperate need of relief supplies and basic medicines. We are on the ground, providing food and medical assistance to the affected people. Non-stop daily health camps are being held, under medical consultation of Dr. J N Bordoloi & Dr. N C Boro and four local volunteers from Teteliguri village, who are assisting the HelpAge team.

Non-stop daily health camps being held in severely affected flood-hit districts of Assam by HelpAge team of doctors.

Current Situation and Plans Ahead: Flood waters have receded significantly, however, many areas continue to be sunk under water and are still cut off by road. Boats continue to be only means of transportation for us for delivering relief and care to the affected.

HelpAge relief team navigating in boats to deliver relief material in Kamrupmetro district, Assam.

HelpAge India’s response has since been initiated in Araria, Madhubani and Darbhanga Districts of Bihar, Chandrapur Development Block in Kamrup Metro and Morigaon districts of Assam and in four blocks of Barmer District in Rajasthan. Upon completion of the Medical Relief Efforts over a planned period of 15 days, HelpAge India plans to reach out Food and Non-food Relief to at least 3000 households in the three states. We are preparing to provide more hygiene and sanitation kits, cooking material and food baskets to the most-affected locals. To support our on-ground action, please consider contributing here: https://www.helpageindia.org/disaster-strikes.html

Every contribution adds to making a considerable difference in the life of an affected disaster survivor. It’s time to join hands for an even more determined impact.