(Reuters) — At least 75 people have died and tens of thousands have had to take refuge in state-run relief camps after heavy rains caused floods and landslides in eastern India, government officials and aid groups said on Monday (August 3).
Exacerbated by Cyclone Komen which struck the east coast on Friday (July 31), the rainfall has made major rivers overflow, inundating villages in parts of West Bengal, Odisha and Manipur states.
Flash floods caused by the incessant rainfall have submerged houses and shops, forcing people to move and build makeshift shelters. The rains also caused a landslide in Manipur, killing 21 people.
In West Bengal’s Midnapore district, as aid was distributed by boat on Monday, people gathered to collect the food packets.
Midnapore village council minister, Subrata Mukherjee, said the flood situation gets worse in the state after water is released without warning.
“The problem used to be aggravated when officials released water without warning. The sudden release of water used to enter houses, causing damage. It has not been stopped. The chief minister of the state has told the officials to warn people before opening the sluice gates to release water,” Mukherjee said.
The chief minister of West Bengal, the worst affected state, had previously told reporters that the release of water from over-full dams in the neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Odisha had worsened the flooding in West Bengal, where at least 49 people have died.
The flow of rain water from West Bengal has added to the difficulties of people living in Odisha.
Villagers in the district of Bhadrak complained on Monday that they had not received any help from the administration.
“We have been living in the tent for days and after spending three days last night we got flake rice and jaggery. No water was given, even for the children. They say only residents will get relief material, people living in tents will not. They are also poor people, why will they not get relief material?” said flood victim, Mamta Pradhan.
A spokesperson for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the state government.
“People are facing problems due to the floods. The chief minister is in Delhi and the revenue minister is missing. Officer rule is going on. But people are in immense trouble. The administration has not reached them. The mud houses have been damaged. People do not have drinking water, medicines, and there is also nothing for the cattle,” said BJP spokesperson Sameer Mohanty.
India has monsoon rains from June to September, which are vital for agriculture. But the rains often cause damage affecting millions of people, devastating crops, destroying homes and sparking outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhoea.