Indian farmers were severely hit by the deficiency in monsoon this year. More than 170 districts in the country have been declared drought-hit by the government so far. Photo: PTI
The drought-hit districts were mostly in eight States, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. Photo: Nagara Gopal
To overcome the sufferings caused by the drought, many farmers in the country have demanded jobs for them under the Central Government's flagship programme, National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
In this image, women worship the plough to appease the rain God, in Patna, Bihar. Photo: Ranjeet Kumar
A frog marriage in progress to appease the rain God at Sivmandir village in Assam, one of the drought-hit States in the country. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently asked the people to prepare for a further rise in prices because there was a shortfall in the production of foodgrains owing to a deficient southwest monsoon. This image shows a farmer on his way to a paddy field in Assam. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
A farmer takes part in a demonstration demanding immediate announcement of drought-relief programmes, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI
The Prime Minister also wanted the States to operate a contingency plan for crops, drinking water, fodder, human and animal health and keep a close watch on foodgrains and the prices.Photo: M Srinath
A dried up paddy field in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. Photo: L Balachandar
Published - August 16, 2009 05:31 pm IST
