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Bay of Bengal (India and Bangladesh): Storms OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0141
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Bay of Bengal (India and Bangladesh) - Storms
21 September 2005

This situation report is based on information from United nations Resident Coordinator's office in Dhaka and several media reports.

Situation

1. Heavy rains from two major low pressures pounded coastal areas of India and Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal since last weekend. Reportedly, at least 33 people have been killed in Southern India and 16 fishermen are thought to be dead in Bangladesh. The weather office in the Orissa state in India forecasts more rain for the province in the next 48 hours.

India

2. At least 1,000 people were missing in Southern India. At least 27 people were killed; around 50,000 people were displaced or homeless in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In Orissa state, 6 people have died; around 11,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and more than 25,000 hectares of rice crop were destroyed by the storm.

Bangladesh

3. Reportedly, at least 16 fishermen are thought to have drowned as well as at least 200 fishing boats with over 3,000 fisherman aboard went missing.

National Response

4. Both Governments have not requested international assistance up to this date.

5. In India, rescue workers picked up people stranded in floods, while military helicopters dropped food and water packets to marooned people and lifted stranded villagers. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, a total of 35 relief camps have been opened and medical teams pressed into operation. In Orissa, the administration evacuated 12,000 people from low-lying areas.

6. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Delhi and Dhaka through its Regional office for Asia and the pacific in Bangkok will revert with further information as required. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

MAP: Bay of Bengal (India and Bangladesh): Storms - Situation map

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Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. Masaaki Nakagawa, direct Tel. +41-22-917-4034

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-892 1679

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