India flooding update from Islamic Relief

The weekend’s heavy rains, flooding and landslides across India have killed at least 270 and displaced 1.2 million people from their homes. Yesterday, authorities in Kerala warned residents of further heavy rainfall over the next 24-48 hours.

Islamic Relief India has a presence in the states of Kerala and Odisha, both of which have experienced flooding, and is on the ground ready to respond for when local authorities request assistance.

In Kerala, Islamic Relief is working with local authorities to support with water purification in a relief camp.

Sibghatullah Ahmed, Islamic Relief India’s Head of Mission, said:

‘The climate crisis has caused so many extreme weather events that many NGOs are unable to do more than just patchwork – racing against time to patch up destruction rather than help communities prepare in the long term.

“Just this summer alone, India has been hit by several disasters including Cyclone Fani in May, and major floods that took place across northeast India in July and August, affecting those already displaced from the cyclone. And now there is even more flooding.

“Every year the intensity of cyclones increases; the frequency of flooding increases; rain patterns are changing. Some cities are receiving the level of rainfall they used to get in a month, in just one day. None of the water management systems or sewage systems are equipped to handle this.

“What’s happening is shocking; it gives you shivers. And we humans have created this: everything that we could possibly do ourselves to create a nightmare, we have been doing, and that nightmare is now unfolding before our eyes.’

“It is high time we work together to prevent this devastation reaching catastrophic levels by investing more on building resilience of communities to face climate induced disasters.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Islamic Relief is an independent humanitarian and development organisation, which has been transforming and saving lives across the globe since 1984. We are one of the world’s largest faith-inspired charities, with more than 100 offices delivering programmes to benefit vulnerable people in over 40 countries worldwide. As well as responding to global disasters and emergencies, we also carry out long-term development work with people and communities, regardless of their race, religion or gender.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo.  Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.