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CNN Sunday Morning

Military, Volunteers Provide Relief for East Indian Quake Victims

Aired July 22, 2001 - 07:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Eastern India, the military and an army of volunteers struggle to provide relief for tens of thousands of flood victims. More than half a million people are reported marooned in the eastern state of Orissa. CNN's Satinder Bindra has the latest for us via videophone.

Satinder?

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, it's starting to rain here. So officials say floodwaters are receding but if these rains continue, the situation could change very suddenly. At the moment, hundreds of thousands of people are still marooned and 12,000 villages are under water. With so much water, officials are very nervous, very scared about the risk of water-born diseases. In the past two days, more than five people have died of snakebites and the total death toll in this tragedy now stands at 55.

Here in Bhubaneswar, where I am, we're witnessing a very large volunteer relief effort. Just last night, we saw a small army of 70 volunteers having a large cookout. They're cooking cooked rice. They're adding extra oils and extra sugar so that rice lasts longer. Once all this rice is cooked, it's packed into small plastic bags and then taken to the airport.

At the airport, all this rice is loaded onto Indian helicopters. The Indian Air Force has been helping with this massive rescue and relief effort. So far, according to officials at -- with the Indian Air Force, they've flown some 70 shortees, dropping some 160 tons of food. It's quite a sight when this food is dropped from the air. Several people who have not received proper supplies for several days come rushing right out.

It's estimated here, Kyra, that 1.5 million mud homes and huts have been damaged or destroyed. So, this massive relief operation is likely to continue at least for a few more days.

Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: Satinder, at what point do government officials facilitate help from the U.S. and would it make a difference?

BINDRA: Well, so far the Indian authorities say the situation is under control. There's plenty of food here so they've not asked for any international assistance. What is needed though or perhaps even internally, is large supplies of tents and plastic sheeting.

As I mentioned, a 1.5 million homes destroyed, many people still camping out. And as the rain continues to fall, perhaps they will need more protection. It's also been mentioned, with so many people marooned, the need of the hour is flat bottom boats. Some officials here say a hundred more boats perhaps is needed at the moment.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Satinder Bindra, live from the scene. Thank you very much. We'll continue to follow this story.

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