Flood Relief

The devastating rainfall and floods that swept away the lives and dreams of hundreds of rural families in North Karnataka between 29th September and 3rd Oct 09 heralded the begin of an unprecedented disaster in the area.  

The district of Bagalkote was one of the worst affected receiving 60% of its average annual rainfall in the span of a few days. Ghataprabha River, Malaprabha River and Krishna River flow through the district. Koodalasangama lies at the point of confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha.  In most years, Bagalkote district receives the lowest rainfall annually in Karnataka. The dry climate makes the soil arid and the region is susceptible to drought and crop failure.

This year, the release of waters from the Almatti and the Narayanpura Dams after the heavy down pour, resulted in the rivers overflowing and destroying everything in their path. In some areas, the flood waters were well over 15ft above ground level.

Over 2,00,000 houses were destroyed across 15 districts in Karnataka in South India with over 75,000 houses belonging to Bagalkote District alone.

Biocon Foundation’s presence in the region through its Arogya Raksha Clinic in Kaladgi helped us begin immediate relief work through medical camps at the clinic as well as at the temporary shelters set up by the government in Mangalguda, Shirbadgi and other villages nearby. General checkups were done and the needy were given medicines and treatment by the Arogya Raksha Team. Our doctors provided medical care to over 5000 villagers.

During this time, Biocon Foundation became a part of the Aasare Project, proposed by the Government of Karnataka, which, aims to build homes for families whose homes have been washed away, through a path breaking Public Private Partnership. Biocon Foundation has committed to building 1000 houses covering the rehabilitation needs of 3-4 villages in Badami Taluk, Bagalkot district. Biocon Foundation will build composite homes, using concrete for the foundation and roof, and prefabricated wall panels with eco friendly recycled paper honeycomb core.  Biocon Foundation is working on the construction of these homes in partnership with Vaspar Green Technologies, Bangalore.

Using a rural participatory approach for the proposed housing project, the foundation held village meetings to explain the design of the houses that will be constructed. These were lively meetings; the communities had many ideas which we have tried to incorporate.   

Scale models of 2 designs were shown to them, one with the toilet attached to the home and the other with a toilet some distance away. Contrary to popular belief, every woman and many men in the villages emphatically said that they prefer to have a toilet attached to the house as it will be safer and easier for the aged, children and women to use.

After extensive discussions with the village leaders, hybrid houses will be constructed. The houses will use precast concrete for the external walls and composite panels for the internal walls.  The internal wall panels will comprise of cement panels with a honeycomb core.   We are trying to build durable houses in the least time consuming manner so that the affected communities can be shifted from the temporary tin sheds to their own homes.