Life
appears to have returned to normal in the cities of Banke and
Bardiya, and their citizens hurry about carrying on with the
business of day-to-day living. However, the district branches
of the Nepal Red Cross Society are still inundated with survivors
and representatives from government organizations and NGOs.
Sakir Khan is a resident of Khalemasah whose wife Amna Begam
delivered their child only six hours before the floods. “When
the flood level began to rise, one of our neighbours took the
baby to the high bridge on the way to Fattepur. Amna was shouting
for help when I was about to release the cattle,” says
Sakir.
“Suddenly the roof collapsed and Amna’s leg was
trapped. I forced her leg free and dragged her towards the bridge.
By the time we reached it, Amna was almost unconscious and the
whole village was under water.” Sakir and his wife are
now sheltering in a neighbour’s partly damaged house.
Life in many villages outside the cities is still miserable.
Debris and damage resulting from the floods and heavy rainfall
is still very much in evidence.
Farmland and settlements have been ruined; roads have enormous
potholes or have been washed away making access to some flood-affected
areas almost impossible. Severe damage to the Nepalgunj–Fattepur
road has made it impossible for the Nepal Red Cross Society
and other organizations to deliver relief to residents of the
villages of Betahani.
The floods engulfed thousands of hectares of farmland. Most
of the farms in the area had corn plantations ready for harvest
or recently planted paddy fields. The paddies have survived,
but the corn plantations were wiped out.
The local communities, who rely on these crops for a living,
find themselves with no little or no subsistence.
One mother laments that she has nothing with which to feed her
family of six. “All our food, clothes and savings have
gone. The corn on the farm was ready for harvest and now it
is ruined. How can I support my family?” The family was
dependent on the corn harvest and has no alternative source
of income.
The damaged shacks on the banks of the river reflect the economic
status of the owners. Most of the people affected by the floods
in Banke and Bardiya do not have landowners’ certificates
and have been occupying the land for years without formal registration.
Poverty is the main reason for the flimsiness of the houses,
but the uncertainty of their ownership is another reason for
their condition. Even if the owners were aware of impending
disasters, they would not be able to afford to take preventative
measures.
Thus far, floods and landslides have already claimed the lives
of 45 people across 16 districts. Dozens of people are missing
and thousands have been displaced. The number of casualties
is still likely to rise, primarily because of malnutrition and
the spread of disease. Cases of influenza, eye infections and
cholera are being reported. Children, the elderly,expectant
and new mothers are in particular need of immediate assistance.
Of the 16 affected districts, Banke, Bardiya, Achham and Nawalparasi
are the worst affected and this is where the Nepal Red Cross
Society has focused its activities. The Red Cross has carried
out needs assessment, and the first and second phases of aid
have been distributed.
A group of aid agencies – including the UN and Save the
Children, USA – is stepping up the relief effort by visiting
the affected areas, along with two medical doctors and the eye
technician from the Nepal Red Cross Society.
Special support to 700 pregnant women and postnatal mothers
will also be provided, together with medicines, mosquito nets
and water purifiers.
Many homeless families are staying under tents distributed by
Nepal Red Cross Society on the side of the Banke–Bardiya
highway.
Manisa Basnet, age 17, and her family are sheltering in the
premises of Bangalamukhi High School. Her house was destroyed
when the Babai river burst its banks. Her father is away from
home for work and her mother is heading the household of 4 children.
She makes her living by washing clothes and utensils.
With their houses swept away by the river, they don’t
know where they are to go next. “We are here today,”
says Manisha, “but we don’t know where we will be
tomorrow.”
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Water-logged
city of Nepalgunj after the terrible flooding in Banke
district, Nepal. (14690)
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Volunteers
of Nepal Red Cross Society Banke-chapter distribute relief
materials (food items consisting of beaten rice, sugar,
noodles and biscuits) to the survivors of the floods at
Kimdi Village Development Committee in Lalapur, Banke.
Some relief support received from the Swiss Red Cross.
(p14695)
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Sakir
and his wife Amna of Khalemasaha, Banke sit with their
baby born only 4 hours prior to the flood which took their
home, clothes and food.(p14692)
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On
the road to Fattepur, Banke--severely damaged roads such
as this, hinder relief and rescue work. (p14694)
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