Bundelkhand, a hilly region spread across 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is currently struggling with the effects of an acute drought. This region is drought-prone — the latest drought is the 13th to have hit the region over the past 15 years. The report and photo essay by Sayantan Bera published in Live Mint (May 6, 2016) write about the disastrous impact the drought has had on people and cattle in the region.

The Bundelkhand region was affected by drought last year as well, and by unseasonal rain in March 2015. These have resulted in successive crop failures. Many families have lost their cattle because of an acute shortage of fodder and drinking water. An important factor in Bundelkhand’s inability to deal with drought is neglect of water conservation practices.

The situation is made worse by the apathy of governments. The public distribution system is not effective. Sayantan Bera reports that in the villages he visited, most families have been left out of the benefits due to them under the National Food Security Act. There has been a large increase in distress migration by workers from this region.

“Bundelkhand: Parched and Desolate,” a photo essay by Sayantan Bera (Live Mint, May 6, 2016)

“In Bundelkhand, Cattle Deaths, Hunger Signal Looming Famine,” a report by Sayantan Bera (Live Mint, May 6, 2016).