CARE staff report

In India: More than 1,100 people have died. The government reports that the floods laid waste to at least 1 million houses and 3 million acres of crops. The densely populated states of West Bengal and Bihar have suffered the most damage. These states were reeling from the first wave of monsoon rains that fell in July and August, when the torrents of September and October came. An additional 500 people throughout India died during that first onslaught. The latest monsoons caused the 13 already swollen rivers that flow through West Bengal to burst from their banks. Nine of 17 districts in West Bengal are affected.

"Most of the roads and railways are out. It took me 12 hours to reach the district of Murshidabad by alternate routes. Along the way I spoke informally to a lot of people at tea stalls, at a few railway stations, and at the district headquarters. All the people are saying that the situation is very bad. People need help with food, hygiene and water sterilizing chemicals and assistance to rebuild their homes," said Dibyendu Bikah Parial, CARE field coordinator in West Bengal.

An estimated 3 million acres of crops in India were indundated by floodwaters.

West Bengal Deputy Chief Minister Budahadeb Bhattacharya said this flooding caused an estimated $860 million in damages. Finance minister Asim Dasgupta is pushing the federal government in New Delhi to approve $330 million dollars in assistance for the state, leaving at least a $500 million gap to be filled from other sources.

CARE is concentrating its efforts in two of the most-heavily damaged districts, Birbhum and Murshidabad. CARE is assisting more than 400,000 people in these districts, reaching the poorest and most in need.

CARE is distributing more than 80,000 kits of basic medicines, 8,800 tons of halogen tablets to purify drinking water, and lime and bleaching powder to disinfect contaminated water tanks and latrines. Shortages of food and clean drinking water are dire.

Pawan Ingty, relief secretary for West Bengal, said the state urgently needs an additional 20 million water purification tablets and 150 tons of bleach to control contamination.

CARE also is distributing food and a rehydrating solution to survivors suffering from dehydration.

Flooding caused an estimated $860 million in damage to India's West Bengal state.

CARE's ongoing program in West Bengal, operates health programs and helps people develop small businesses. CARE is deeply committed to assisting the community over the long run, including repairing the damage from the floods.

"We are exploring different options for long-term flood assistance, such as providing seeds to farmers for replanting crops, and small loans to help people restock herds of livestock. We are seeking funding in order to turn these possibilities into realities," says Tom Alcedo, CARE director in India.

CARE has been working in India since 1950, primarily carrying out self-help programs in food, agriculture, primary health care, education, urban development and micro-enterprise.

CARE also has provided extensive assistance with relief and rehabilitation efforts in India. CARE was involved in flood relief in West Bengal (1979) and Orissa (1992), and worked in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh after a severe cyclone swept those states in 1977. CARE is active in nine states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

CONTACT: In India: Tom Alcedo, (011) 9111-656-4059