1.
GV MARCHERS TO CAMERA.
0.11

2.
SV PAN FLAG BEARER AN TO MARCHERS.
0.19

3.
SV SHEIKH HASSAN AMIRI (WITH TURBAN) AN TO ROSARY.
0.24

4.
SV PAN PEOPLE LISTEN TO SPEAKER PAN TO SKY.
0.35

5.
SV WOMAN HOLDS HANDS TO SKY.
0.40

6.
GV MAN HANDS UMBRELLA DOWN FROM PLATFORM.
0.43

7.
SV PEOPLE SING AND DANCE.
0.48

8.
SV MAN MAKES SPEECH TO CROWD.
0.53

9.
SV PEOPLE DANCING.
1.01

10.
SV FARMERS LOOK AT MAIZE CROP.
1.07

11.
CU CROP OF CORN BEING EXAMINED.
1.12

12.
CU PARCHED EARTH (3 SHOTS).
1.21

13.
SV PAN DOWN NEAR DRIED UP STREAM BED.
1.27

14.
SV SIGN "PATEL DAIRY FARMS" PAN DOWN TO PARCHED EARTH.
1.38

15.
GV DRIED CROPS AND ABANDONED HUT.
1.47



Initials WB/S/RM/JM WB/S/RM/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: WHILE THE MINISTRY OF WORKS ASKED FOR ECONOMY IN THE USE OF WATER, FIVE THOUSAND MUSLIMS PRAYED FOR RAIN AT A GATHERING IN DAR ES SALAAM, THE CAPITAL OF TANZANIA, ON SATURDAY.

FARMS HAVE BEEN DRYING UP IN THE DRY HOT WINDS, AND THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD OF FOOD SHORTAGES IN SOME REGIONS UNLESS RAIN FALLS SOON, ACCORDING TO THE REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER FOR THE MOROGORO REGION. HE HAS ALSO ADVISED ON THE PLANTING OF SPECIAL CROPS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REMAINING DAMP AREAS AND EXPECTED RAINS.

DRESSED IN THE TRADITIONAL WHITE KANZU AND BLACK RODE, SHEIKH HASSAN AMIRI LED THE SUPPLIANTS AT THE MSIMDAZI PLAYING GROUNDS. HE ASKED FOR RAIN TO ALLEVIATE THE DRY FIELDS AND GARDENS, AND THE LOW RIVERS. PRAYING FOR RAIN GOES BACK TO THE TIME OF THE PROPHET.

WITHIN THE CAPITAL, WATER CONSUMPTION HAS GONE UP, AND ALTHOUGH PUMPING HAS BEEN INCREASED, THE CITY'S WATER PRESSURE HAS DROPPED. DROUGHT CONDITIONS ARE REPORTED TO EXIST ALONG A 100 MILE WIDE STRIP UP TO THE KENYA BORDER, OUT THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT IT DOES NOT REGARD THIS "AS BEING ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY". RAIN COULD BE EXPECTED AS USUAL "EITHER LATE THIS MONTH OR EARLY IN APRIL".

AFRICAN AND ARAB LEADERS TOOK PART IN THE SPECIAL PRAYERS. IN THE DROUGHT AREA THERE HAS BEEN MUCH LESS THAN AVERAGE RAINFALL IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY -- BUT IT IS THE DRY SEASON. DRIED MAIZE STANDS STARCHILY IN THE FIELDS AND CATTLE ARE BEING GRAZED ON THE WITHERED CROPS. SMALL IRRIGATION PONDS ARE NEARLY ALL DRIED UP.