The U.N. humanitarian agency (OCHA) said that torrential downpours have caused flooding in and around Baghdad, Iraq, with more than 80,000 displaced people sheltering in roughly 40 sites and camps. "The flood affected areas are causing public health risks," OCHA said in a statement. "Health partners are increasing epidemiological surveillance as the floods may lead to an increase in cholera cases, following the week-long incubation period of the virus." OCHA also warned that only 44 percent of the $498 million requested in the Humanitarian Response Plan for Iraq for the July-to-December 2015 period has been received, and that the response to the ongoing cholera outbreak also is undermined by the poor funding status. "The flooding in and around Baghdad delayed vaccinations in some locations, but the teams managed to reach most planned sites by early November," the statement said. The heavy rains in late October caused flooding in and around Baghdad, and sewer systems have overflowed and caused open sewage to mix with floodwaters, according to OCHA. The floods also contributed to increased power outages as many power stations were flooded and authorities have reported deaths caused by electrocution. A status of emergency in areas overwhelmed by the heavy rains was declared November 1, OCHA said. "Humanitarian partners estimate that the floods have affected at least 84,000 displaced people staying in more than 40 sites and camps, mostly in Baghdad and Anbar governorates," OCHA said.
