Massive floods in Nepal and India

More than 120 killed, 6 

million affected by floods in 

India and Nepal

the Watchers,

16 July, 2019

At least 123 people were killed, tens of thousands are displaced and at least 6 million affected in seasonal floods affecting India and Nepal over the past 10 days. The death toll is rising steadily.

Seasonal monsoon continues affecting Nepal and neighboring Indian states of Assam, Bihar, Tripura and Mizoram.

The monsoon flooding first started in the Assam state in late June. It became worse on July 10, 2019, when 3 people died and 207 100 people were affected. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the situation has become much worse on July 14, 2019 - there were 11 deaths and 2.6 million people affected across 28 districts. Rivers were flowing above the danger level in the state in 14 locations. This included the Barak River in Cachar district.

A red alert was issued by Assam officials on July 15 with 4 300 000 people across 30 of the state's 33 districts affected by floods. 15 people have died and 80 000 were sheltering in 494 camps, DG ECHO reports.

Another 28 have died from flooding in Bihar and up to 2.5 million people have been affected.

1 000 families were evacuated in Mizoram after the Khawthlangtuipui river flooded 32 villages in Lunglei district and five were killed.

Two more deaths were reported in Tripura, with 18 000 people sheltering in 61 camps.

The rivers have caused extensive flooding in Bihar from July 12, 2019, with 1.8 million affected people in Sheohar, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, Madhubani, Araria, Kishangang, Supaul, Darbhanga and Muzzafarpur districts.

According to the water resources department, some rivers like Mahananda, Kosi, Bagmati, Kamla and Gandak rivers were beyond the danger level.

In Uttar Pradesh, 15 people have died and at least 113 buildings have collapsed due to heavy rainfall. NDRF teams are assisting in evacuations and relief operations in the state.

Roads between Tripura, Mizoram and the rest of the country have been affected by landslides. Water levels have exceeded dangerous levels in 30 sites across Bihar and Assam.

At least 78 people have died in Nepal and 32 are still missing as of July 16.

More than 40 000 soldiers and police officers are delivering food, tents and medicine to thousands of affected people, the country's National Emergency Operation Center said. Rescuers also were searching for 32 missing people.

Floods have also affected 100 000 people in northern Bangladesh while all major rivers continue swelling.

More than 6 200 people are sheltering in 39 sites across Myanmar's Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu in Kachin State. Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships of Rakhine State, and Belin Township of Mon State are reportedly affected by floods with people evacuated from some areas, according to DG ECHO. There are no reports of casualties or disease outbreaks.

Due to the active conflict, a night-time curfew is in place since April 2019 in Mrauk-U, limiting movement and access to services, particularly to healthcare. Internet access is down since June 21 and aid organizations have reported disruption to their activities.

Featured image credit: GFS/Tropical Tidbits (total accumulated precipitation July 16 - August 11, 2019)

Around 300 families have been affected by floods in the area.

Speaking to ANI, Talla Murmur, a local, said, "We have to eat rats as our house has been destroyed by the flood. There are no arrangements for us. The government has given no facility to us. We are dependent on rats only to fill our stomachs. All my family members eat rats as they are easy to find in the floods."

"I have come here to catch a mouse with my grandfather as we don't have anything else to eat," said Murmur's grandson Vijendra.

However, Block Development Officer of Kadwa constituency, Rakesh Kumar Gupta said officials are unaware of the conditions claimed by the locals.

"We have no information regarding the condition of the villagers in the flood-affected areas. Even if they are eating rats, maybe it is likely that the tribal people might be eating it," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan said he has written a letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, requesting him to provide assistance.

Bihar is witnessing floods as the water levels of several rivers have been rising following heavy rainfall in the past few days.

Many villages of Bihar's Araria, Darbhanga and Madhubani districts are flooded due to the heavy downpour.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-floods-have-eat-rats-survive-claim-locals-affected-village-1570117-2019-07-16?fbclid=IwAR3UDCgvRCz1Dxzv6PaKMvmmyTHycKFwZIMsifpwWY98JL1YvNJwB9ybceI