Nearly 25 percent of India’s vast population is facing a severe
water shortage and extreme heat that is claiming lives and threatening livelihoods as
temperatures reach 42C/107.6F in the shade, virtually wiping out agriculture in
three states.

Agriculture represents an estimated 15 percent of India’s gross
domestic product, according to The Guardian, which also reports that 68
percent of Indian are farmers.

The government has responded with water trains that deliver the
precious commodity in bulk, but they have been unable to keep up with demand.
The shortage is causing some surgeons to postpone procedures because they don’t
have water to wash their hands.

While rural agricultural areas have felt the brunt of this
drought, cities are now seeing an influx of people seeking water and jobs
there. An estimated 66 people have thus far died of heat stroke.

Gospel for Asia-supported workers are serving drought affected people

Workers supported by Gospel for Asia have a long track record in India and have drilled scores of Jesus Wells in villages to improve quality of life in rural places. This
drought is affecting Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Bridge of Hope Centers and Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported
missionaries whose daily routines are disrupted by the drought.

Please pray that India gets relief from the drought and intense
heat; for government officials as they respond to this crisis; and for
GFA-supported workers to be able to provide solutions to the water shortage.

The article above is a simple summary of these news articles:

BBC: Searching for water in drought-hit Latur

The Guardian India’s Drought migrants head to cities in desperate search for water
Time: More Than 300 Million People in India Are Reeling From the Worst Drought in Four Decades

GFA: Drought Develops into Severe Water Crisis, Affects Millions

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