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12 May, 2020

The water carriers

A response team, comprising volunteers from Titan, Tata Trusts and Kalike (an associate organisation of the Tata Trusts) steps up for relief operations in flood-hit North Karnataka

Devastated by floods in 2019, Karnataka was facing a grave humanitarian crisis. Lives were lost, houses damaged and arable land was under water. Domestic animals were missing or dead, and the state faced heavy damage to infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath, a flood response team, comprising employees from Titan, Tata Trusts and Kalike, was deputed to assess the ground situation in Belgaum, one of the hardest hit districts in the state, and to identify the most essential relief measures.
Devastated by floods in 2019, Karnataka was facing a grave humanitarian crisis. Lives were lost, houses damaged and arable land was under water. Domestic animals were missing or dead, and the state faced heavy damage to infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath, a flood response team, comprising employees from Titan, Tata Trusts and Kalike, was deputed to assess the ground situation in Belgaum, one of the hardest hit districts in the state, and to identify the most essential relief measures.
Only three of the 14 talukas in Belgaum district were accessible. The response team identified purified potable water and family relief kits as the most essential necessities in this flood-ravaged area. Two proposals were prepared and submitted to the district administration, which was approved by the Deputy Commissioner, Belagavi District. The response team then worked closely with the district and taluk administrations, to allay community apprehension and mobilise government and local support.
Only three of the 14 talukas in Belgaum district were accessible. The response team identified purified potable water and family relief kits as the most essential necessities in this flood-ravaged area. Two proposals were prepared and submitted to the district administration, which was approved by the Deputy Commissioner, Belagavi District. The response team then worked closely with the district and taluk administrations, to allay community apprehension and mobilise government and local support.
Two mobile reverse osmosis (RO) plants were set up to distribute purified water in two of the most affected blocks — Gokak and Mudalagi. A mobile water purification unit was also pressed into service. Community support was quickly mobilised for transportation, water source identification and other technical services. A local church stepped up to provide the essential power supply. 3,94,600 litres of water was distributed to provide succour to about 1,800 families across 4 villages.
Two mobile reverse osmosis (RO) plants were set up to distribute purified water in two of the most affected blocks — Gokak and Mudalagi. A mobile water purification unit was also pressed into service. Community support was quickly mobilised for transportation, water source identification and other technical services. A local church stepped up to provide the essential power supply. 3,94,600 litres of water was distributed to provide succour to about 1,800 families across 4 villages.
The response team also ferried family relief kits to the affected villages. They worked round the clock to assess the extent of the damage and identify affected families. A beneficiary list was created, validated by the community and displayed to the villagers. A support phone line was also set up for people to reach out for help.
The response team also ferried family relief kits to the affected villages. They worked round the clock to assess the extent of the damage and identify affected families. A beneficiary list was created, validated by the community and displayed to the villagers. A support phone line was also set up for people to reach out for help.
A separate cell took note of the concerns of families that were not on the list. Genuinely affected families were included as beneficiaries and given relief kits. The kits included essentials such as blankets, towels, clothes, candles, matchsticks and sanitary napkins.
A separate cell took note of the concerns of families that were not on the list. Genuinely affected families were included as beneficiaries and given relief kits. The kits included essentials such as blankets, towels, clothes, candles, matchsticks and sanitary napkins.
The response team worked hand in hand with government officials, gram panchayats, local leaders, communities and other volunteers on the ground to support more than 800 families with relief kits. The team also interacted with the affected communities, engaging different age groups in activities that included sports, arts and crafts, and educational games.
The response team worked hand in hand with government officials, gram panchayats, local leaders, communities and other volunteers on the ground to support more than 800 families with relief kits. The team also interacted with the affected communities, engaging different age groups in activities that included sports, arts and crafts, and educational games.
The result of this call to help has been of immense value. The systematic approach helped the response team to submit proposals, receive sanctions and work to mobilise resources. Alongside, they also worked with taluk officials to restore water supply to the affected areas. They also learned how to manage communication with local bodies, government officials and stakeholders. This will strengthen the team’s capabilities to deal with such scenarios in the future, should the need arise.
The result of this call to help has been of immense value. The systematic approach helped the response team to submit proposals, receive sanctions and work to mobilise resources. Alongside, they also worked with taluk officials to restore water supply to the affected areas. They also learned how to manage communication with local bodies, government officials and stakeholders. This will strengthen the team’s capabilities to deal with such scenarios in the future, should the need arise.
Read more about Tata Trusts’ relief efforts on https://www.tatatrusts.org/our-work/disaster-relief-and-rehabilitation