A dog, up to his neck in floodwater, waits in floodwater for  rescue in India. (HSUS)

By Tamara Church Swanson

In August, torrential monsoon rains caused widespread flooding throughout India, especially in the west—Gujarat and Rajasthan—and in the south—Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Hundreds of people and tens of thousands of animals died in the disaster, and India news reports indicate that more than 6 million people have been affected by the flooding. Many people, companion animals and surviving livestock now face food and water shortages.

Normally, "people in rural India eagerly anticipate the rains, which are viewed as a blessing for the paddy fields in need of irrigation. However weeks, instead of days, of rain have gravely affected India's poorest people, along with their cherished animals," Sherry Grant, HSI's Asia program manager, reported from India. 

When floodwaters began receding in late August, Humane Society International was among the rescue and relief efforts to respond to the crisis. Working with the Gujarat-based Animal Help Foundation to provide relief to people and animals at the request of Rajasthan and Gujarat governments, HSI Asia efforts have saved thousands of animals from death and disease since late August. 

Kids with a goat in India during the flooding disaster response, (HSUS)

Treating Animals in Rajasthan

Located on opposite sides of the country, Orissa and Rajasthan are among the hardest-hit regions, each with different needs and dynamics.

"Rajasthan floodwaters receded, which allowed us to set up our clinic on dry land and treat animals." Grant said. "Yet there is still much work to do. Entire animal herds are dying and require the veterinary treatments and lifesaving medications that we provide."

Veterinary teams in Rajastahn treated thousands of animals with antibiotics, analgesics and antihistamines. Sheep with prolonged skin contact to wet, soggy wool often suffer from severe skin inflammation and irritation. 

Floodwaters Swallow Food Supply

The flooding in Orissa damaged the region's levees, swallowed crops and grazing lands, wiped out the food and fodder supply, and complicated rescue and relief efforts. One of the poorest regions in India, Orissa depends on livestock for its survival. Herds appear to be healthy now, Grant said, but will need fodder to survive the approaching calving and lambing season. 

HSI Asia's Sherry Grant surveys India's flood damage. (HSUS)

With rotting crops and grazing land already in short supply, the cyclone season begins in a few weeks. Unless the government can repair broken levees soon, isolated villages in Orissa may face more devastation.

The Work We Support

In the last two years, HSI Asia has provided disaster relief and assistance in many situations including: the Asian tsunami (Aceh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India); cyclones on the East Coast of India; the earthquake in Pakistan; and the earthquake in Java, Indonesia, not far from HSI Asia's Bali headquarters.

HSI is committed to providing assistance and relief for animals and people in distress following natural disasters.