Muslim Aid is on the ground and monitoring the situation in response to the floods in Bihar, India. The Koshi river in the eastern state of Bihar, one of India's poorest regions, has broken its mud embankments in several places. Over 200,000 homes have been destroyed and 90 people have been killed, officials say. 

"With over 200,000 homes destroyed and at least 1.4 million people affected, the flooding in Bihar is a serious emergency," said UNICEF Emergencies Communication Officer Patrick McCormick.

Those displaced by the flooding in Bihar are not expected to be able to return to their homes for another two or three months until the embankment is repaired and the river moves back to its normal course.  467,000 people have been evacuated and 275,000 are sheltering in 250 government relief camps. As the number of displaced people continues to grow, relief camps may become overcrowded, leading to the spread of infectious diseases.

Roads have been damaged and water and electricity supplies in the affected districts have been seriously disrupted. Railway tracks have been submerged and essential commodities, including food, are being transported by boat.

Muslim Aid have been monitoring the situation and are in contact with a Muslim Aid representative and local partners in India, as well as Muslim Aid Bangladesh field office. Muslim Aid has allocated funds to supply food packs to 2,000 families, medicines, mosquito nets and water.

How you have helped October 2008

Working with local partners, Muslim Aid distributed over 23,000 food packs.

Please donate to Muslim Aid so we can continue to help those affected by the flooding. With thousands more people yet to be rescued, we know that even more vital supplies and life saving equipment will be needed.

We will make sure every penny you donate to Muslim Aid goes to those who need it most.

Please help us to make a difference and donate now

See how Muslim Aid donors helped the survivors of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008