A second wave of heavy flooding in Odisha (also known as Orissa) has affected a further 2.2 million people in the past three weeks, raising the number to over 3.4 million people across almost 5,000 villages in this state alone. At least 41 lives were lost due to the floods in the region, and five people remain missing.
John Roche, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in India said this was the worst flooding in the state for at least 30 years. “In the second round of flooding in just a matter of weeks the numbers affected have almost doubled, leaving tens of thousands marooned, and homes across hundred of villages submerged,” he said.
Despite hundreds of villages being cut off by the floods, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has managed to reach many of these communities by boat, and distribute thousands of tarpaulins, towels, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, clothes and dry food. There are still many more communities that need support, however, and following request of the state branch, the IRCS is releasing contingency stocks from its regional warehouses.
Other agencies and the government have also been providing assistance. A total of 258 relief camps or free kitchen centres have been opened in flood areas, and almost 145,000 people have been provided with food assistance by the state authorities. Air drops have been used to take relief to marooned villages.
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