ReliefWeb

Since the last week of July and into early August 2015, heavy rainfall at several places has resulted in extensive flooding and displacement of people. The flooding has thus far claimed around 293 lives across the country, with one million people seeking shelter in relief camps. Over 13.7 million people are currently affected by the floods. The most affected states include Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal. (IFRC, 14 Aug 2015)

A depression formed over the Bay of Bengal, about 460 kilometres south east of Chennai in Tamil Nadu in early November 2015. Heavy rains and winds on 8 November 2015 caused the collapse of a two storey building under construction in Chennai, killing two young men. Roads are flooded, trees have been uprooted and electricity supplies in some areas have been cut. The state Government has closed schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchepuram and Tiruvallur districts on 9 November 2015. The slum dwellers in Chennai and rural areas with thatched huts are the most severely affected by the heavy rains and wind. (ACT Alliance, 9 Nov 2015)

Based on reports received through IRCS branches as of 27 November, details on impact of the floods are as follows:

In Andhra Pradesh, the worst affected districts are Chittor, East Prakasam, Kudappa and Nellore. At least 30 deaths have been recorded across the state, 12 of them in the district of Nellore. At least 1.8 million people in some 1,200 villages have been affected, with 146 villages reported to have been marooned and approximately 740 livestock lost or affected across the state.

In the district of Nellore alone, 86 villages were flooded, 120 houses damaged, at least 341 irrigation systems damaged, 2,000 hectares of aqua culture ponds affected and 35,715 hectares of agricultural land inundated.

In Tamil Nadu, the worst affected districts are Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Pondicherry. At least 200 deaths were reported across the state, with the floods displacing more than 400,000 people. There has been damage to livelihoods, with at least 20,000 hectares of agricultural land inundated. (IFRC, 1 Dec 2015)