ActionAid and its partners are delivering food, water and other urgently-needed supplies after Cyclone Aila left a swathe of devastation across India and Bangladesh.

The category 2 tropical storm crossed the Indian state of West Bengal and western parts of Bangladesh on Monday, bringing widespread flooding and winds peaking at 75mph.

The storm destroyed villages, flooded fields in the Sundarbans delta and paralysed the city of Kolkata. Mass evacuations in both countries have kept the death toll relatively low, but hundreds of thousands of people are now homeless and in need of food, drinking water, clothing and shelter.

WEST BENGAL, INDIA

“Over 200,000 people have been left homeless in the South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts which were battered by high velocity winds for over six hours. Tidal waves smashed villages on the coast and submerged large areas,” said Surajit Neogi of ActionAid’s Kolkata office.

Survivors are desperate for information about missing family members. ActionAid partner Digambarpur Angikar reported that in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, a group of 16 children who were playing in an abandoned house were missing after the house was washed away by a raging river.

Roads and railways are under water. “Rescue work must commence in earnest and boats need to be pressed into service to save those marooned and reach the survivors,” said Dr PV Unnikrishnan, who leads ActionAid's emergency work in Asia.

The seawater that has inundated delta islands will have long-lasting effects. “The tidal waves and the upward flow of sea water into river deltas have not only destroyed standing crops but also deposited saline water, contaminating drinking sources in some areas,” Dr Unnikrishnan said.

There is an immediate need for dry packaged food, tarpaulins for shelter, medicines, and clothes for women and children. Digambarpur Angikar is already distributing tarpaulins, food and clothing. ActionAid will provide further supplies or help local authorities to deliver them.

BANGLADESH

In Bangladesh more than half a million people are facing a crisis in terms of shelter, food, water and medical support. Water has become a key issue as water sources have been contaminated by flooding.

An ActionAid team reached the affected areas on 26 May and began distributing basic supplies to the most vulnerable families.

ActionAid aims to reach 1,500 families in Barisal, and 1,000 families in Khulna where it was the first international agency to respond. The relief items include bottled water, beaten rice, semolina, sugar, water purifying tablets, candles, lighters, and oral saline for treating diarrhoea.  

Paras Mani Tamang, ActionAid emergencies advisor for Asia, said: “The death toll is low compared to past disasters in Bangladesh. This is probably due to the early warning systems that have been put in place, and the general sensitivity of the people towards disasters that has been developed over the years. However, the situation of the displaced people, especially women, children and people with special needs, is grave. Over the next few weeks there could be further deaths if these vulnerable people do not get the support they need.”