Sept 3 (Reuters) - Heavy rains and swelling rivers have
caused immense misery for millions of people living in South
Asia. Here are some key facts about the economic and social
impact of the floods on the region.
KEY FACTS:
* The South Asian monsoon season runs from June and to
September. The rains are vital for irrigation of farmland and
economic growth in a region heavily dependent on agriculture.
However, they often leave massive destruction in their wake.
* This year's monsoon has killed around 1,000 people in South
Asia so far, most of them in the north Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh in July.
* The eastern Indian state of Bihar was swamped when the Kosi
River burst a dam in Nepal last month, sending a massive wall of
water into India, swallowing hundreds of villages.
* Heavy rains in the northeastern state of Assam have caused
the Brahmaputra river, one of the largest rivers in Asia, to
burst its banks sending people and animals fleeing. The rains are also causing panic in Bangladesh as river levels rise.
FIGURES AND ECONOMIC DATA
BIHAR: Population - 83 million. Agriculture is the mainstay
and paddy, wheat, lentils and sugarcane are major crops grown.
IMPACT: About three million people displaced, 90 killed and
some 200,000 in relief camps. 920,000 livestock have been
affected. Local media says the death toll could be much higher.
The floods have also submerged about 100,000 ha (250,000
acres) of farmland, destroying crops worth millions of rupees.
ASSAM: Population - 26.7 million. Assam is India's major tea
and oil producing state.
IMPACT: More than a million people have been affected by
floods after the Brahmaputra burst its banks. So far, 15 people
have been killed and 120,000 ha (300,000 acres) of farmland
submerged. Most of the Kaziranga National Park, home to more than
half of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceros, is under
water and at least two rhino calves have drowned.
Tea and oil production have not been affected so far.
UTTAR PRADESH: Population - 170 million. Uttar Pradesh lies
on extremely fertile land and is a major contributor to the
national foodgrain stock. It is also home to more than 70 percent
of the national livestock population.
IMPACT: The floods, which are now receding, have killed 840
people and affected 2.3 million. Total crop and livestock losses
amount 2.7 billion rupees ($60 million).
BANGLADESH: Population - 150.4 million. Bangladesh is one of
the world's most densely populated countries and is prone to
cyclones and flooding due to its low-lying position. Bangladesh
is largely agrarian and has a significant garment-making
industry. Rice, tea and mustard are its major crops.
IMPACT: Rising water levels continue to inundate areas in
central and northern Bangladesh. About 200,000 people have been
displaced and more than 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) of farmland
submerged.
NEPAL: Population - 29 million. Nepal's economy centres
around agriculture and tourism.
IMPACT: UNICEF estimates that more than 100,000 people have
been displaced by floods caused by breaches in the Saptakoshi
River. About 100 people have lost their lives in Nepal this year
since the monsoon rains began in June.
(Complied by Melanie Lee)
(([email protected]; +65 6403 5666; Reuters
Messaging: [email protected])
($1=43.95 Indian Rupee)
Keywords: INDIA FLOODS/