REPORT OF ASHA CANADA FUNDED FLOOD RELIEF
PROJECT
SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF FLOOD IN NIRMALI BLOCK OF
SUPAUL DISTRICT OF NORTH BIHAR
1. BASIC INFORMATION
 PROJECT TITLE : Emergency relief for flood affected people in Nirmali block of
Supaul district in North Bihar
 Project Duration: 23rd September to 7th November 2014
 Donor Agency: ASHA CANADA
 Implementing Agency: Gyan Sewa Bharti Sansthan, Supaul, Bihar, India
2. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Boon becomes bane when greed enters in to it. In the name of development, indiscriminate use
of natural resources and competition to acquire more wealth exerts more pressure on the natural
and its ecosystem. In consequence, irregularity in climatic conditions and natural calamities take
place and the causes are attributed to and ingrained in human action. Any development actions
beyond the carrying capacity of nature are unsustainable and it fraught with dangerous
consequence likes disasters.
In fact Bihar has the highest rural population in India, as well as the lowest rural incomes in the
country. Over 50 percent of the population live below the poverty line. Bihar is also one of the
most flood-prone states in India. According to recent estimates by the World Commission on
Dams, 56.5 percent of India’s flood-affected people are from Bihar. Three quarters of them live
in North Bihar. In north Bihar some 8 lakh hectare of land is waterlogged and that amounts to
14% of total land in Bihar.
North Bihar contains eight major river basins, all of which drain into the Ganga (Ganges) river.
During the monsoon season (approximately June to August) these tributaries flood large tracts of
land. This happens regularly every year. The intensity and duration of flooding can vary, but
large numbers of villages are consistently affected, and their populations forced to evacuate to
higher land.
The undertaken village is tropical of North Bihar. Village is characterized by yearly foods, high
levels of poverty due to a lack of employment opportunities, very limited infrastructure (poor
communication channels, no public transport, limited schooling) and a strong caste structure. In
fact a feudal-like system is in operation whereby the majority of lower-caste villagers live on
land belonging to higher-caste landowners, in return for working in their lands.
Flooding in rural areas increased significantly following the building of embankments to protect
towns from the floods in 1975-76. The severity of flooding increased again when the
embankment heights were increased in 1987. As a result, even if rains are light in Bihar, there
could still be flooding. Finally the development of raised roads without adequate culverts has had
the effect of trapping floodwaters and preventing run-off, creating stagnant pools that waterlog
the area.
Ironically, when the floods arrive, villagers have to move to embankments, the only high ground
in the neighbourhood, often suffering loss of life, livestock and other possessions. Village
‘kutcha’ homes (bamboo and mud walls with thatched or tiled roofs) are destroyed, and families
are forced to live in temporary tarpaulin shelters on the embankments for two to four months of
flooding. Disease is common, and people are particularly prone to suffering skin ailments on the
feet due to constant exposure to water. There is no cooking fuel and employment is scarce.
Women are particularly vulnerable as they have no sanitation facilities on the embankment and
are often left with the children as the men travel to find work. Children are unable to attend
school and in fact, the state government often closes schools during the flood period, resulting in
state-wide education losses.
While the government provides emergency assistance, this is inadequate. Supplies are limited
and not always usable – for example, rice may be provided but villagers have no cooking fuel.
When people return to their villages, they often find that low-lying water pumps have become
blocked by silt and debris requiring repair.
2.1 SITUATION ANALYSIS:A landslide that occurred in Nepal on 2nd Aug 2014 led to creation of an artificial dam on river
Bhote a tributary of river Kosi resulting in accumulation of large amount of water triggering
possibility of flood that could affect Northern parts of Bihar. Nepal government has removed the
hurdle that has been formed in river Bhote as it would bring flood in Nepal. After the blast where
Central water commission has estimated discharge of 14 lakh cusecs of water but the Indian
embassy in Kathmandu has informed National Disaster Management Authority about likely 25
lakh cusecs of water .The water will hit the Kosi barrage in 12 hours which has capacity of
sustaining only 8 lakh cusecs of water. The Flood occurred would affect population of 1.5 lakh
in eight districts of Bihar with 50,000 alone in Supaul. About 380 villages are under threat of this
flood. The water level might reach upto11 meters looking at the accumulation in the artificial
dam formed due to landslide. Even if flood is not that furious but the water released from Nepal
will cross through these 380 villages situated around river kosi affecting about 12 lakhs of
people. Though Government is on its toes to meet the deadly consequences but a lot needs to be
done as yet. About 15000 people have been evacuated so far and placed at different relief camps
but what of rest…?.
Supaul is situated 310 Km from Patna and district boundary touches the Nepal. The district is
surrounded by north Nepal, South Saharsha, East Araria and West Madhubani district. The
sorrow river of Bihar Koshi arises from Himalayas and passes through Nepal enters in north part
of district flow through middle divide in two parts and enter in Saharsha district.
Koshi River is known as change of flow. Before the construction of embankments on Kosi; every
year changed in flow observed as a result of which there are presence of chaur in district, which
starts from south part of Basantpur and passing through south east & enters into Madhepura
district. Other chaur area starts from south west and enters into West Raghopur, Kisunpur and
West Supaul enters in Saharsha district. That is reason the part of land which is located on west
and east is depressed and those located in south and north is comparatively high.
CLIMATIC CONDITION
This district boundary touches Nepal; so there is great affect on environment due to nearest of
Himalayas. During the summer season the temperature observed very high. As temperature goes
up the humidity in environment decrease, so dry hot observed during the summer season. Rainy
season starts from middle June and continue till Middle September. The average rain fall found
140 mm to 160 mm and highest rainfall observed 200 mm.
IRRIGATION
Before construction of embankment on Kosi, this area affected by severely water logged, which
affect badly on land and agriculture practices. Due to water logging problem the soil become
saline and it has decreased fertility of land. To drain out water from Chaur area, the work had
been carried out in first phase of Kosi plan, which continue till 1986. But due to fault in technical
plan and reluctant of government officers, the work had not been carried out effectively in
second phase of Kosi plan and canal which was made for the drainage of Chaur become silted
and it create great problem compare to previous.
DEMOGRAPHY
The Supaul district came in existence on 14th March 1991 by the bifurcation from Saharsha
district. There is four sub division and 11 blocks. The district is densely populated; population
density is 735 square Km, which is higher than national and state population density. The sex
ratio is 1000:920. The urban population constitutes 19% of total population. The population of
schedule caste is 15.6% while schedule tribes are 0.31% of total population.
Dist
rict
1
Sup
aul
To
tal
Population
Population
Of children
Total
Male Femal
e
6
7
8
Number of literacy
9
10
11
Total
Male
2
3
4
Femal
e
5
To
tal
17450
69
90885
5
83621
4
36470
1
18982
1
17488
0
5217
55
3827
52
13900
3
Ru
ral
16571
75
86210
1
79507
4
34960
4
18177
3
16783
1
4781
71
3548
75
12329
6
Ur
87894
46754
41140
15097
8048
7049
4358
2787
15707
ba
n
4
7
AGRICULTURE PATTERN
Sr. No.
TYPE
01
02
03
Below 1.00 Hectare
Between 01 to 02 Hectare
Above 02 Hectare
LAND USE PRACTICE
SIZE IN HECTARE
77.744
19.699
2205
Two third part of total cultivable land is below than one hectare. 1/5th part of total cultivable land
come between 01 to 02 hectare and remaining part more than two hectare. Approx. 16776.01
Acre land is water logged. Barren land which could be made cultivable land is approx. 6617.50
Acre. Land used for the irrigation purpose is 7000.00 Acre and land used for the agriculture
purpose is 6279.50 Acre. Due to water logging problem biggest area of land is not being utilized
for the agriculture purpose and those land which is used for the agriculture purpose, farmers
hardly take one crop due to flood problem. The agriculture activities not seem to be beneficial to
the farmers as the production is not sufficient to feed a family through out year. Though there is
ample scope of agriculture practice by using early and water resistance varieties of crops.
Promotion of cash crops could also be beneficial for the farmers as they can get highest return
from their crop.
2.2 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:A landslide that occurred in Nepal on 2nd Aug 2014 led to creation of an artificial dam on river
Bhote a tributary of river Kosi resulting in accumulation of large amount of water triggering
possibility of flood that could affect Northern parts of Bihar. Nepal government has removed the
hurdle that has been formed in river Bhote as it would bring flood in Nepal. After the blast where
Central water commission has estimated discharge of 14 lakh cusecs of water but the Indian
embassy in Kathmandu has informed National Disaster Management Authority about likely 25
lakh cusecs of water .The water will hit the Kosi barrage in 12 hours which has capacity of
sustaining only 8 lakh cusecs of water. The Flood occured would affect population of 1.5 lakh in
eight districts of Bihar with 50,000 alone in Supaul. About 380 villages are under threat of this
flood. The water level might reach upto11 meters looking at the accumulation in the artificial
dam formed due to landslide. Even if flood is not that furious but the water released from Nepal
will cross through these 380 villages situated around river kosi affecting about 12 lakhs of
people. Though Government is on its toes to meet the deadly consequences but a lot needs to be
done as yet. About 15000 people have been evacuated so far and placed at different relief camps
but what of rest…?.
3. PLANNED OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Overall goal: Providing emergency relief services to the flood affected people of 1200 people
(300 Households) in Nirmali block of Supaul district.
3.1 Objectives:






Food and non-food arrangements for the flood victims.
Medical camps and provide of medicines among the flood victims
To provide Tarpaulin sheets to the flood victims
To provide chlorine tablets to ensure safe drinking water to the flood victims
To disinfect the unhygienic area by the use of bleaching powder.
To provide fodder for the livestock survival
3.2 Activities:
1. Distribution of food and non-food items among the flood victims
2. Organized medical camps for the flood victims and distribution of medicines among the
people
3. Distribution of Tarpaulin sheets among the flood victims
4. Awareness among community how to use chlorine tablets to avoid water borne communicable
diseases
5. Distribution of mosquito net among the affected households
6. Distribution of fodders for the survival of livestock’s
7. Distribution of chlorine tablets to ensure safe drinking water among flood victims
8. Spreading of bleaching powder in disinfected area to avoid spreading of communicable
diseases
3.3 Area: Nirmali block of Supaul district covered Kamalpur Panchayat & two villages
namely as Kamalpur and Haripur
3.4 Coverage: We covered 1200 people (300 Households)
4. PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
4.1 Beneficiaries assessment
In Kamalpur and Haripur, the number of household is 953. The children of the households, who
had studied earlier at our NFE centers and became enrolled in government schools in higher
class to continue their study and presently the children is getting education at NFE centers, all
those households covered under the project. We do assessment based on means of livelihood of
the households and extent of suffer due to flood. In this way, we assessed 300 households.
4.2 Beneficiaries selection
Selection of the beneficiaries has been done mainly in the meetings and with the help of opinion
leaders. Since, both rich and poor affected by the flood, priority had been given to Schedule
Caste, below poverty line group and those who has not got support from any other institutions.
In the open meeting at a conspicuous place, the list was prepared where people cooperated and
volunteers. Addition and deletion of the beneficiaries were decided in the meetings through their
representatives and opinion leaders.
4.3 Procurement, Delivery, Storage and Transportation of Relief Materials
4.3.1. Procurement Phase
In order to maintain transparency and quality assurance, procurement committee has formed of
five members. However, a quorum of three is a must for these activities. The procurement
committee decided to purchase the food and non-food items based on the quality and price of the
items.
4.3.2. Delivery of Relief Materials
Delivery of relief materials started on 7th October 2014. To ensure proper packaging, quality and
quantity of materials, our organization purchased plastic jute bag and packaging done.
5. Distribution of relief Materials:
5.1 Token card distribution
Prior to the distribution of relief materials, first of all token card prepared by the organization
staffs and half of token card given to the identified beneficiaries and half of the token card kept
by organization staffs. During the distribution time, the concern person called with half token
card.
5.2 Distribution of relief materials:
Distribution of relief material did in strategic manner. First of all Sarpanch of Kamalpur-Smt.
Poonam Devi and other members of the Panchayat were informed about the date, place and time
of distribution of relief materials and invited to their presence during the distribution time. All of
them heartily accepted our invitation and the relief program stated in presence of the Panchayat
representatives.
5.3 Details of distribution of relief materials:
A. Food Items: We provided food items to 1200 people (300 Households) of following
items






Chura: 5Kg
Gur: 2 Kg
Sattu: 5 Kg
Mixture: 1 Kg
Salt: 1 Kg
Murhi: 1 Kg
B. Non-food items:
 Mosquito net-01 per household
 03 Soap for bath per household
 03 Soap for cleaning cloth per household
 Match box one pocket per household
 Candle 03 Pocket per household
 Mustard oil 1 liter per household
 Oil for use in body and hair
C. Medical Camps: 10 Medical camps were organized with the support of MBBS
Doctors, ANM and technical staffs. The doctor did health check-up of the old age people,
pregnant women, children, adolescent girl’s youth and male members of the households.
Sputum of the suspicious people collected and sent to the Primary Health Center, Nirmali
for the test of T.B. Medicines were also distributed among the people. 1241 people health
check-up done in the health camp.
D. Tarpaulin sheet: We provided Tarpaulin sheet among 330 households.
E. Chlorine Tablets: We provided chlorine tablets 900 packets among 300 flood victims
household. Due to flood; the water became contaminated and it is not useful for the
drinking purpose. The possibility of spreading of communicable diseases is very high due
to use of contaminated water. Cases of diarrhea have been reported in Nirmali block of
Supaul district. First of all people are made aware about the use of chlorine tablets and its
benefit than chlorine tablets distributed among 300 households.
F. Bleaching powder: 05 quintal bleaching powder being spread in flood affected areas
of villages, near by villages and on the bank of river to disinfect the area. This will help
to stop the spreading of communicable diseases.
G. Distribution of Fodder: Fodder was distributed among the 300 households. As we
know that the agriculture is main source of livelihood of the people as there are no
industries in the area. The agriculture is become jeopardize due to flood and water
logging problem and people are hardly able to harvest one crop in a year. The production
of crop is not sufficient to feed a household through out the year. As a result of which,
people involved in livestock as alternative source of their livelihood. During the flood
time, the animals are the vulnerable as their fodder submerged in flood water and caught
by the diseases. Keeping in view of vulnerable situation, we distributed fodder and
medicines for the animals.
6. Documentation and Monitoring system
6.1 Documentation and Visibility
 Information sharing with the Panchayat Representatives: We informed Panchayat
representatives and erudite people of the village regarding the program prior to the
distribution. Sharing of information regarding the emergency relief operation was done
with the village leaders.

Media Coverage: We have called news paper reporter on every event to get proper place
in the news paper, so that other people could know about the relief programs carried out
by the Gyan Sewa Bharti Sansthan with the support of ASHA CANADA.

Visibility: Banners, Token cards, Relief cards, Master role, printing pockets of plastic
jute bag for the relief materials are made to ensure the visibility aspect. Besides after the
distribution publication in news paper done on behalf of Gyan Sewa Bharti Sansthan.
6.2 Monitoring Aspect
For the proper monitoring various systems have been developed and all the systems are in place:
 A procurement committee was formed to select the final supplier for the procurement of
relief materials keeping in view of quality and price
 Gyan Sewa Bharti Sansthan workers, chief coordinator and secretary itself were placed to
see the quality, quantity, smooth delivery of the relief materials at the distribution point.
 For proper distribution of relief materials Gyan Sewa Bharti Sansthan staffs visited relief
camp areas to look into the selection of the beneficiaries
 Token cards have been distributed among the selected beneficiaries.
7. Contributing factors for successful implementation
 Proper identification of target people through meetings and in consultation with the
opinion leaders
 Quality and quantity of relief materials ensured at different levels
 Timely delivery of relief material
 Involvement of Panchayat representatives and community people in distribution
8. Project outcome and Conclusion
 300 households have been provided food and non-food items. This was a timely help to
protect themselves as they were facing problem due to flood
 300 households have been provided Tarpaulin Sheet to make temporary shelter or cover
their hut house to protect from the winter cold
 10 Medical camps were organized and essential medicines were distributed.
 We have provided fodder and medicines for the animals
 We have disinfected the areas where people were living to avoid further spreading of
communicable diseases.