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ActionAid
Millions have been displaced and
thousands gone missing in north Bihar,
India, after Kosi river smashed through
an embankment submerging over 400
villages under floodwater and in six
districts.
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Bihar is one of the poorest parts of the
world and many in these villages are
trapped
not able to leave their home and cattle.
But after days without fresh water and
cooked food, they are facing diseases
and starvation.
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ActionAid
Almost after a week the deluge, the
tragedy made past the local newspapers
and
basic relief started coming on a limited
scale compare to its magnitude.
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These villagers have never experience
floods in as many as three generations
and were caught unaware when the floods
struck. Their capacity to deal with
flooding is limited and there is little
help coming from authorities.
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It was almost after eight days that
state-run boats were pressed into
service and
that too in a very limited number. Poor
villagers ravaged by flood had to pay as
much as 6000 Indian rupees for one
person.
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In absence of any coordination, it is
Darwinian theory on display as food ends
up being looted on the roads and does
not reach pockets with people stranded.
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Camping in tents thousands wait for
basic amenities as the water continues
to be
high and rains expected to last through
September and mid October.
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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
