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If earthquake is here, can drought be far behind?

Nirendra Dev and Sudha Passi in Bhuj

Even as Gujarat struggles to cope with the devastation wrought by the killer earthquake of January 26, a new threat, that of drought, is staring the state in its face.

Though water scarcity around this time of the year is nothing new for the residents of border villages in Gujarat, destruction of water resources in the quake has only accentuated their misery. Rubble of fallen houses has choked wells and ponds, making them useless.

The removal of debris is a slow process in these villages because not many aid agencies have reached them. Far-flung villages like Lodai and Kotay have been left to fend for themselves with both government officials and NGO volunteers concentrating on urban and accessible areas.

"We have lost everything...even water pitchers. Our wells are full of stones," said Sabina, a resident of Lodai.

Sukho, a milk vendor at Dhrang village, is struggling to keep his cows alive. "There is no water, no fodder. I don't know how long they will live," he said.

Villagers are bitter. Every day they read stories of aid pouring in for all parts of the world. They also hear stories of hoarding of grains and other essentials through an unholy nexus of corrupt officials and NGOs.

"Local press has been regularly highlighting this issue. But nothing substantial has been done yet," says Suresh Vaghela of Gujarat Samachar.

Authorities confirm they have received complaints about hoarders taking advantage of the situation. The collector's office in Bhuj has also received complaints, says an official on the condition of anonymity. He says they have not been able to take any action. "We have been tied-up. There is too few people and too much do."

PTI

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