Drought hit Madhya Pradesh villagers migrate

Chatarpur (Madhya Pradesh), July 18 (ANI): Prolonged spell of drought forced people to migrate from Chatarpur in Madhya Pradesh to other parts of the country.

Hordes of people are migrating to metropolitan cities in the absence of work as all agricultural activities that have come to a standstill due to drought.

"I am going to Delhi. There is no water to drink in the village. I am much worried. There is no work to do in the village," said Bablu Raikwar, a villager

According to Chatarpur bus stand authorities, a large number of people flock to the bus stand every day to migrate to other cities.

"Around 10,000 passengers leave from this bus stand every day. It's been 15 days now. People go to Jhansi from here. From Jhansi, they go to Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir," said Dilip Kumar, Announcer, Bus Stand, Chatarpur.

Timely monsoon is vital to the health of India's trillion-dollar economy as it determines farm output and subsequent rural demand for a range of products.

The four-month (June-September) monsoon is the main source of water for irrigation in the country's vast farmlands.

Bountiful rains help agricultural output, which contributes a fifth of India's gross domestic product. By Narendra Singh Parmar(ANI)