Monsoon flooding displaces millions in Northern India

More than 60 people have died and an estimated 3 million people have been left homeless as heavy rains caused the Kosi River to flood, swamping hundreds of villages in the state of Bihar in India.

More than 225,000 homes have been destroyed.  To make matters worse, extremely hot temperatures are aggravating an already precarious situation, especially for children.  

Large areas remain isolated and the government is using helicopters and boats to provide emergency supplies and evacuate children and their families.  However, essential medicine, food, and potable water have only reached a few accessible relief camps and other communities.  As the number of displaced continues to grow, overcrowding in relief camps and the spread of communicable diseases are becoming a concern. 

Impact on Plan programs

Plan communities have not been directly affected by the flooding in India, therefore, all sponsored children are presumed to be safe.  However several communities on the banks of the river are on high alert including Baghakol, Murrahiya and Hasanpura.

Plan Australia has not set up a fundraising appeal to support the response to the emergency, as it is expected that sufficient funds will be raised from other sources.