The heaviest monsoon rains in years have flooded the federal state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, with more than 500,000 m³ of water discharged from the dams in neighbouring Nepal. Malteser International, the Order of Malta worldwide relief service, is there.

“All the streets here are flooded; the people are panicking, trying to escape by boat on the dams,” reports Annette Wächter-Schneider, Malteser International’s India officer, currently in the disaster region. “Four weeks ago, we distributed boats to the population – the only way they can find refuge on the dams,” she explains. “As daily labourers, they live from hand to mouth and have no stockpiles. They now urgently need food and more help.”

In the neighbouring federal state of Bihar, on the border with Nepal, Malteser International has been assisting the flood victims for several weeks, as in mid August a dam of the river Kosi broke, leading to severe floods. Millions of the poorest people in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and the neighbouring regions are affected. Malteser International has already provided 165,000 Euro for emergency relief.