Relief Distribution 

Flood in Gujarat

The unprecedented and continuous heavy rains in a week between 26^th June and 3^rd July 2005, created a flood situation in 20 out of 25 districts located in central, southern and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat. As per the metrological reports the state received an average rainfall of 69% during first spell as of 7^th July 2005. Of all the 15 affected districts Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Amreli, Surendranagar are among the worst affected. The deviation from the normal rainfall in these districts during this period is to the tune of 241%.

The dams and water storage structures in the water scarce Gujarat state has overflowed in first phase of monsoon requiring opening up of gates. All major dams including Sardar Sarovar, Kadana and Ukai dams and several medium irrigation dams in Saurashtra region have over-flowed, which has caused major floods in the downstream.

The flood situation in coastal South and Central Gujarat was aggravated by substantial discharge of water from the canals as well as incessant rains combined with high tide in the Gulf of Khambhat meant that, the water did not drain into the sea thus resulting in stagnation of water in areas closer to the rivers. Inter agency multi sectoral assessment and other secondary sources of information indicate that coastal villages in Bharuch and Anand districts of South and central Gujarat has been the most affected whereas situation in the interior areas of Vadodara, Kheda and Saurashtra was also grim.

 

The flood situation described by the state chief minister as “aerial tsunami” has disrupted normal life and caused extensive damage to lives, livelihood and infrastructure across different parts of the state. As per the state government, the floods have affected 70% of the state, 20 districts, 186 talukas and about 9,000 villages. A total of 20 million people are estimated as having been affected by the floods, 226 persons have been reported dead and 13 persons missing. The rapid assessment by the agriculture department has estimated impact to 1,71,000 ha. of agriculture land in the state. The state relief department has estimated a total damage to the tune of Rs. 8,245 crore. The unique feature of the present floods in Gujarat is its period. In contrast to the history of floods of the state, which indicates occurrence of the floods in mid or late monsoon, the present floods have occurred in the first spell of the monsoon. Additionally, continuous rain has affected the areas like Saurashtra, which is generally considered as drought prone region. In this context the response to floods should consider the potential threat of more floods during current monsoon and emphasis on the community level disaster preparedness.

 

Shelter status

 

The increase in population has pushed the resource poor people to construct the shelters on the vulnerable locations using low-grade construction materials. The lack of access to land for shelter forces them to illegally encroaches upon Government wastelands, which do not allow them to investment for safe shelter. Most of the affected houses are made of mud walls with temporary roofing. These houses made from mud have developed wide cracks rendering them unsafe for occupation.

 

The flood has caused major damages to the kuchha houses. The damage assessments by the state government has arrived at the figure of 1,60,000 houses including 44,433 huts / houses having totally destroyed and about 1,17,195 huts / houses having partial damage.

 

The damage range from simple crack due to wetting of walls due to rains, to total collapse of house. There is a clear distinction in the intensity of the damage to the houses in all three regions, which has occurred due to the material used, the type of construction and force of water. It was observed that maximum damage to the housing has occurred in the Central Gujarat regions where the period of water inundation was much longer due to flat topography. Almost 80% of the totally destroyed houses are located in Anand, Kheda and Vadodara district.

 

OUR APPROACH TO SHELTER REHABILITATION

 

We selected two most affected villages around Nadiad. They are Bhumel and Dantalli. The whole approach adopted to the shelter was as below :

 

·        As an entry point to the village a informal survey was conducted in the village and number of households staying in tarpoline and make shift houses where identified.

·        In the process of doing the survey, a status assessment was also done of each individual.

·        A small meeting was organized then and discussion was initiated that what kind of minimum support they need so that they can make a respectable shelter for their own self. Also, it was made very clear to them that we are not going to make any shelter for them but are just there to support them build one.

·        As the discussion continued people articulated that they need mainly the roofing members and Mangalore tiles. They can salvage the material of the wall or build one with mud. Based on a discussion a model was evolved of size (12” x 15”) size. It was decided that firstly a sample house be build and then people can comment on any changes if they want any.

·        In the sample house we gave the model plan and methodology to build. But the unit was build by the house owner on his own. We supported them only with Cement poles as post (vertical members), Casurina poles and battens for roofing, Manglore tiles as covering material and door.

·        Owner contributed entirely for the walling material and the labour for the entire house.

·        Thus a wonderful participatory model was created where we were not at all a donor agency giving them a shelter but were just a support and facilitating organization helping them to build their own shelters with pride.

 

The above approach also helped us select the right beneficiaries without any turmoils or oppositions since we were not “giving” shelter as the term “giving” suggest but were just supporting them to build one.

 

Learning during the process and modifications

 

·       Initially when the first model house was created it was of size 12’ x 15”. The same was erected in Bhumel village. As few houses where build a need of verandah was found. So the same was added in the structure making a unit plan to be of 12’x15’ with a 12’x3’ verandah in the front as add on.

·      Further monitoring visit revealed the need of thicker roofing members. The same was also modified immediately.

·       Working closely with the community revealed their vulnerability more and more. Also, it was found that even the salvaged material which we were using of theirs for walls, was also one of their assets.

·        In one of the monitoring visits the suggestion was made to give bricks sufficient to build atleast 3 feet high wall in mud mortar. The same was welcomed immediately. But since by these time many house (around 30 to 40 units) where under process in Bhumel, it was difficult now to introduce the same in Bhumel. But, the changes where made immediately in the second village i.e. Dantalli village which was just started.