India Update: Flooding and Landslides
CCF- India's National Director, Dola
Mohapatra, has confirmed reports of flooding and massive landslides in
the Mahad Raigad District where CCF is currently working. The
Community Office from which CCF operates in this area, has been completely
inundated by water and mud. CCF Staff have reported that everything has been
lost including vehicles and equipment. A laboratory and dispensary were also
destroyed.
The army has taken over the disaster area to conduct rescue
operations and would not allow civilians to enter the area. There are a number
of people missing as well as a number that have lost their lives but
confirmation of how many has not yet been finalized as recovery efforts are
continuing.
Some CCF staff members have been traveling to affected areas,
some 20 hours away, to assess the situation and provide assistance in rescue
efforts. Five villages have been declared high risk and families evacuated to
camps where relief materials will be needed.
The government has declared a
red alert and asked people not to venture out as the heavy rains are continuing
to fall and more landslides are being reported.