The flood waters will recede...the sun will shine tomorrow...

Heavy rains have led to flash floods in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The areas were drought hit just over a fortnight ago. But now hundreds of villages are inundated with flood water and the road links have snapped in several places.

Non availability of safe potable and clean water for drinking, cooking and other basic requirements is now a major need in the area. In some of the badly affected villages people are using pond water (flood water) for domestic consumption.  The existing water supply infrastructure has been badly damaged. Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) has not yet attempted to revive the water supply system in villages.

There are very high chances of spreading of epidemics due to lack of safe drinking water and of lack adequate sanitation facilities in the affected areas. The toilets in the urban slums are filled with mud and water for which people are forced to opt for open defecation that is polluting the environment, may lead to health problem if not addressed timely

Following a rapid assessment in some of the flood affected villages in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, Oxfam India has decided to respond with water, sanitation and public health support to about 13,000 flood hit households in Kurnool and Bagalkot. This decision comes in the wake of the realization that both these are arid regions and therefore were not well prepared for floods.  In fact, till recently these areas were reeling under the impact of   drought. Oxfam India's response package would involve a mix of provision of clean drinking water, temporary sanitation facilities, and distribution of hygiene kits, public health promotion and construction of toilets. 

Oxfam India plans to raise nearly 3 crore to reach out to people for relief.  Corporate and bilateral have already pledged donations more than 50 lakh.

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