ACT Alliance Rapid Response Fund Payment Request for flooding in Uttarakhand, India

Rapid Response Payment Request No. 09/2012

Funds Sent To: Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)

Amount Sent: USD60,000

Date: 8 August 2012

Details of Response

Emergency: Cloud bursts trigger flooding and landslides in Uttarakhand

Date of Emergency: August 2012

Requesting Member: Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)

DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY

Around midnight on 4 August 2012, cloud bursts in the Asi Ganga area triggered flash flooding and land- slides along the river Assi Ganga in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state in India. The areas of Joshiyada, Gangori, Tiloth, Rawara of Bhatwari block and district headquarters of Uttarkashi suffered heavy loss of lives as well as destruction of houses and bridges. The current death-toll stands at 34 with over 100 people missing. Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at Gangori, where the maximum number of deaths was reported, with relatives and villagers crying for help. The Gangori, Troloth, Joshiyada, jhola pool, Athali bridges were totally destroyed leaving commuters stranded on both sides of the bridges.  The national highway to Gangotri is closed due to landslides in various places. According to a report approximately 20,000 people are affected from the disaster[1].

Twenty three workers of the state-run UJVN Ltd Assi Ganga hydro-electric project, who went missing early in the morning of 4 August following a cloud burst in the upper hills of Uttarkashi district, have now been declared dead. During the past two days, incessant rains have battered the hill state triggering landslides and flash floods that have washed away homes and stranded hundreds of pilgrims. The state government has released INR200 million (approximately USD3.6 million) from the disaster mitigation fund for immediate relief work and urged civil society organizations to help the affected. The  meteorological office has sounded an alert for heavy rains and flash floods during the next 24 hours.

The chief minister of the state, after making an aerial survey, called for immediate restoration of essential services and also announced an ex-gratia payment of INR 300,000 (approximately USD 5,400) to the next of kin of the deceased and INR 100,000 (approximately USD 1,800) to those families whose houses had been completely  washed away. According to initial statements, approximately 5,000 families have lost their houses. The loss to properties is estimated around USD 163 million[2]. In Uttarkashi, though, the locals alleged that even five days after the calamity, the government was engaged in issuing statements and statistics instead of providing help. Little was done to ascertain the whereabouts of 30 missing people – the corresponding figure from the government was just five.

There has been no effort to search for bodies near Matli, Dunda, Dharasu, Chinyalisaur and Tehri dam. The families of three police men declared dead are searching for the bodies on their own.  “Remote places are neglected. None of the officials have reached Gangori bridge or the Rawada Uttaron bridge,” said Jaypal Singh, 47, of Joshiyara village. Even in the 11 relief camps things were barely under control. “There is a shortage of food”said Sangeeta from Naugon who is living at a relief camp.

For the detailed response and budget, please click here.