India: Flood-related death toll over 600 as of Sep. 1 /update 9

Event

Officials reported that as of Friday, September 1, at least 600 people have been killed and some 17 million affected by flooding and landslides across India in recent weeks. Poor infrastructure has exacerbated flood-related casualties. Heavy rains in Mumbai caused the death of 22 people on August 31 alone, after a building collapsed. On September 1, two people were killed after a mound of garbage collapsed during a downpour in New Delhi.

Weeks of torrential rain has caused significant flooding in at least 21 Indian states, including the western states of Maharashtra, Gujurat, and Rajasthan, the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and the eastern states of Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Ongoing efforts to provide relief have been complicated by flood-related damage to transportation infrastructure across the region. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have warned that they expect cases of water-borne diseases to spike with the presence of widespread pockets of standing water and mass shortages of food due to destruction of agricultural land.

Weather officials have warned that monsoon rains are forecast in western India over the coming two days, and have urged people to stay indoors.

Context

Flooding and landslides are common in India during the monsoon season and cause widespread damage and destruction to homes and infrastructure. This year's floods have been described as the most catastrophic to hit South Asia in a number of years.

Monsoon season in India usually lasts from July to September.

Advice

Individuals present in regions affected by flooding are advised to adhere to all instructions as issued by local authorities (evacuation orders, etc.). Monitor any relevant developments of the situation via local media, the authorities, and reliable weather reporting outlets. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded