Catastrophes and Alerts©2002

Current Response Information for, Nepal Floods/Landslides,  India Floods,  PR China Floods, Nambia Floods, Mexico Volcano Alert, Equidor Volcano Alert, Philippines Volcano Alert

Current International Disasters in Major Response

Updated: 2003 

This page contains critical  information for the Global EM Community

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Location: State of Assam, main Brahmaputra river.

Situation:  A total of 11 districts in the state have been hit by the floods.  The worst affected districts are Dhemaji, Haillakandi, Karimganj, Kamrup, Nalbari, Darrang, Dhubri and Goalpara, where 763 villages have been flooded. The first wave of floods began on 13 June, displaced 400,000 people, and then subsequently receded. A second wave of severe flooding began on Friday 27 June when the Brahmaputra River breached its banks at several places. The UNDP reported official sources as stating that at least 2.36
million people have been affected by the current floods.  According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, as of 14 July, 2953 villages in 20 districts in Assam have been hit by the floods.  Official government sources also
reported that a total of 7 people in Assam had been killed, although media sources report a much higher figure.  As of 15 July, state officials reported that while the Brahmaputra River's water levels are falling, the
river is flowing above the danger level in almost all areas.

Government of India: Army and civil authorities continues to help to evacuate people from the flood-affected areas to highland areas. The Federal Government is coordinating relief measures through the
National Disaster Management Division of MHA at the central level and producing regular situation reports for both Assam and Bihar. In Assam, army and civil authorities continue to evacuate people from
the flood-affected areas to highland areas. The State Government of Assam is distributing relief items to affected populations and has opened numerous relief camps throughout the flooded regions.  District
authorities are using boats for rescue and relief operations.  Mobile medical teams are using vans and boats to reach the most vulnerable populations.

International Response: UNDP continues to support the State Government efforts in assisting the
most vulnerable people of Dhemaji district. NGOs like Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Vision International (WVI), Action Aid, and CASA are carrying out relief activities in various affected areas.  CASA and WVI are providing relief assistance to Barak Valley in Karimganj and Hailakandi districts. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. The OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format for information on contributions may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website  http://www.reliefweb.int 

Location: Eastern part of China. notably the areas around the Huaihe River in three provinces of Anhui,
Jiangsu and Henan. 

Situation:  In Anhui province, the accumulated rainfall exceeded 500 mm at some areas, causing the largest floods since 1991. The Government is trying to avoid further major flooding by discharging water
from several points of the dyke along the Huaihe River. As of today, 13 people have been killed, 552,000 people evacuated, and 1.85 million people in 6,266 villages stranded by floods. In addition, 3.4 million hectares of crops have been affected, and 2 million hectares damaged.  A total of 58,000 housing units have collapsed and 180,000 units were damaged. The direct economic loss is estimated at CNY 7.16 billion
(USD 866 million).

Government of Peoples Republic of China: The Central Government has attached great importance to relief work responding to the flood disasters. The Party Secretary General and the Premier have made urgent instructions, and the Vice Premier visited the affected areas to direct the response and relief work. Various levels of governments have immediately launched emergency preparedness plans and
taken effective measures to assist the affected population.

International Response:  OCHA has not received any request for international assistance from
the Government.  For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. The OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format for information on contributions may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website  http://www.reliefweb.int 

Location: Nambia

Situation:  The floods, said to be the worst in 21 years, occurred when after few days of torrential rains the Zambezi River burst its banks thus submerging twenty-two villages. The authorities estimate that it will take six months for the water to completely recede to normal level. The floods, which displaced 12,000 people in the Kabbe and Katima rural constituencies, in the Caprivi region of northeastern Namibia in the
beginning of May, have started to subside.

Government of Nambia: On 5 June 2003 the Government of Namibia informed that affected
households will need food and non-food assistance until the end of August 2003 and solicited support for the provision of the following items:
         Big tents - capacity: 25/35 people, to serve as classrooms
         1,000 - jerry cans for potable water
         500 boxes - water purification tablets

International  Response: The British Red Cross contributed USD 11,480 in cash, the Embassy of
the Netherlands in Windhoek donated USD 12,000 in cash; UNICEF provided 100,000 water purification tablets, USAID donated USD 25,000 in cash and kind. On 17 June WFP started food distributions to the affected people. 12,000 beneficiaries in 22 villages will receive a two-month ration, while a third month ratio will be provided in July/August. Food aid has been arranged by the Government, and will be delivered by helicopter and boat where necessary. The water is currently receding and most areas are now
accessible by road. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. The OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format for information on contributions may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website  http://www.reliefweb.int 

Location: The volcano continues to erupt, expelling steam and a thin vapour plume from vents near Mt. Pago's summit to the northwest over the Hoskins Peninsula. 

Date and Time: 5 August and Continuing

Situation: (OCHA):  Although steam and fumes are still being emitted from Mt. Pago's upper and lower vents, since early November the volcano has settled down and no ash emissions have been observed recently.  Lava continues to flow slowly from the northwestern-most vent of the fissure system, creating a
significant lava field within Witori Caldera.  Some volcanic earthquakes are still being recorded, but overall seismicity is at a low 'normal background' level for Witori Caldera.  There has been no noticeable ground
deformation in the last month, in contrast to the period between the start of the eruption and early November, when complex and significant movements were recorded. The Mt. Pago Volcano Monitoring Team at the new Kimbe Vulcanological Observatory (KVO) expects the vapour emission, lava flow, and slow deformation to continue, and they state that there is no threat from the current level and nature of eruption.  Its previously dynamic nature and experience from other similar volcanoes indicate that the character of the eruption may change. Acting on scientific advice following the lull in volcanic and seismic
activity, in November the West New Britain Provincial Administration began to encourage most of the 13,000 displaced people to return to their villages on the Hoskins Peninsula, if these were areas assessed as being of lower risk. The ongoing eruptions in New Britain, which include Tavurvur Volcano at Rabaul in the east and Mt. Ulawun as well as Mt. Pago in the west, also pose a hazard to aviation, necessitating the diversion and cancellation of many flights.

Government of Papua New Guinea (GOPNG): Aerial observation of the volcano has been suspended for the present, owing to financial constraints.  However, remote-sensing instruments are still in place, enabling continuous monitoring of the threat by staff of the KVO.  Technicians from Rabaul Vulcanological Observatory (RVO) and AusAID are currently installing equipment that will telemeter data from a
seismometer and an electronic tilt back to Rabaul in 'real-time', to enable vulcanologists to monitor from the main observatory in Rabaul. They have also produced a volcanic hazard map based on three scenarios; for a
large, intermediate, or small-scale eruption in the future.  The map is designed to assist the Provincial Disaster Committee (PDC) in managing the current emergency and in establishing longer-term contingency measures.

International Response: .  Although some food assistance has been made, the main need over the
next three to four months will be for food.  The few who are still displaced will continue to need rations, and the majority who have returned to their homes will probably need support until their new gardens have become productive.  During their 4 month absence in the 'care centres' the evacuees harvested from their existing gardens without replanting, partly because they believed that new crops could be poisoned
but also because it was difficult for them to get to their land.  This situation report, together with further information on this and other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int