Categories: World

Thousands flee as drought hits many Indian Villages

A historic drought has hit India which has forced hundreds of villages to evacuate their homes in search of water. India is facing high temperatures in recent weeks. On Monday, it was the highest ever June temperature of 48’C in the country’s capital, Delhi. In Rajasthan, the city of Churu recently experienced highs of 50.8C, making it the hottest place on the planet.

Less than 250 miles from the country’s commercial capital, Mumbai, village after village is deserted as scarcity of water has forced them to flee the area. It is estimated that about 90% of the people have fled their homes. Only the sick and elderly are left behind as the chances of getting out of this crisis looks thin. The village of Hatkarwadi, about 20 miles from Beed in Maharashtra state, is almost completely deserted.

As temperature have reached 45C, the wells and handpumps have run dry. Officials are saying that this drought is far worse than the 1972 famine that affected 25 million people across the state. This drought had started in early December. In Hatkarwadi, only 10-15 families are still in the area out of the possible 2000 at the end of May.

Its neighboring Karnataka and Maharashtra are also hit by the drought. There are about 8 million farmers in those states that are struggling to survive in these harsh conditions. More than 6,000 tankers supply water to villages and hamlets in Maharashtra daily, as conflict brews between the two states over common water resources.

The livelihood of the villagers has been devastated. Crops have died, livestock are starving and dying as well. The crops that contributed to the local economy-maize, soya, cotton, sweet lime, pulses and groundnuts-have been affected. Stronger El Nino weather patterns have particularly hit India.

Adyson Sipes

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

10 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

10 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

11 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

11 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

11 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.