1974 FAMINE OF GUJARAT
Account |
The monsoon rains failed to arrive this
year in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. As a consequence,
the states suffered from a heavy famine. |
Area affected |
The rural regions of Gujarat and North
Maharashtra. |
Rainfall |
No rainfall at all. |
People |
Millions affected. |
Livestock |
Hundreds of cattle died everyday. |
Crop loss |
No crops produced this year. |
Water source |
All lakes, dams, reservoirs, rivers and
wells dried up. |
Migration |
Thousands of villagers fled affected rural
areas. |
HELP
BY BAPS ORGANISATION |
Area helped |
: |
Towns and villages in the Saurashtra and
Kutch regions of Gujarat as well as villages in northern
Maharashtra. |
HOT MEAL CENTRES
The famine resulted in a shortage of massive food supplies.
Many people in the Saurashtra region had difficulties obtaining
one proper meal a day. BAPS immediately opened hot cooked meal
centres at major BAPS centres located at Gondal, Bhadra, and
Sarangpur. Roughly 400 people were served hot cooked meals
twice daily and were also provided with tea and snacks for
breakfast.
FOOD GRAIN DISTRIBUTION
In the rural areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, BAPS opened almshouses
to distribute food items and buttermilk. Food grains, milk
powder and buttermilk were distributed until the famine ended.
CATTLE CARE
The famine affected
thousands of farmers as they lost their cattle and livestock
due to starvation. BAPS volunteers visited towns and villages
in southern Gujarat, collecting grass for mass distribution
in the famine affected areas. BAPS volunteers ensured that
the grass reached the worst affected areas in time to save
thousands of dying cattle.
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