1.
GV PAN PARCHED GROUND
0.06

2.
SV EMACIATED CATTLE MOVE ALONG
0.12

3.
LV PAN DESERTED VILLAGE HUTS
0.17

4.
MV LEAFLESS TREE
0.19

5.
GV PAN DESERTED HUTS WITH LONE MAN HANDLING WOOD
0.25

6.
GV LOCAL PEOPLE ROUND CRUDE WELL DIGGING RIG
0.30

7.
SV & MV MEN -- WORKING DOWN WELL DIGGING EARTH
0.35

8.
MV EARTH SKIP BROUGHT UP
0.41

9.
MV CU VILLAGERS RECEIVE SMALLPOX INNOCULATIONS (4 SHOTS)
0.59

10.
GV ARMY MEN WORKING WELL-BORING RIG
1.04

11.
MV & CU ARMY MEN
1.08

12.
CU BORE PAN TO ARMY MAN WORKING
1.15

13.
GV WATER TRUCK EN ROUTE DELIVERING WATER
1.21

14.
MV & CU CHILDREN WAIT FOR FOOD (2 SHOTS)
1.28

15.
MV FOOD LADLED OUT
1.31

16.
CU LITTLE GIRL EATING
1.34

17.
MV FEEDING CONTINUES
1.39

18.
GV DUST BLOWING ACROSS ARID GROUND
1.44



Initials PW/V/JF/GLH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AID FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS OF INDIA IS BEING RUSHED TO BIHAR STATE WHERE THE FAMINE SITUATION IS ENTERING AN EVENT MORE CRITICAL STAGE AS SUMMER ARRIVES. MAY AND JUNE ARE THE TWO DRIEST MONTHS OF THE SUMMER -- AND BIHAR HAS BEEN WATERLESS FOR TWO YEARS. THREE MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE CONSEQUENTLY FACING STARVATION.

AID FROM THE REST OF INDIA IS BEING SENT TO BIHAR AND INDIAN ARMY UNITS ARE BORING FOR WATER SUPPLIES IN THE STATE. THE UNITED STATES HAS SHIPPED GRAIN AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND ON SUNDAY, POPE PAUL SENT MONEY FOR THE RELIEF OF THE STARVING IN BIHAR.

GAYA IS THE HOTTEST PLACE IN INDIA IN SUMMER. THE AREA HAS BEEN DECLARED AN OFFICIAL FAMINE AREA. SEVENTY FIVE PER CENT OF THE WHEAT AND RICE IN THE STATE HAVE FAILED.

ON SUNDAY, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER, MRS INDIRA GANDHI APPEALED IN A BROADCAST FOR GENEROUS HELP FOR BIHAR, WHICH, SHE SAID, WAS "THREATENED BY THIS GREAT HUMAN TRAGEDY."
THE UNITED STATES HAS SENT MILLION DOSES OF SMALLPOX VACCINE TO INDIA -- TWENTY THOUSAND CASES OF SMALLPOX HAVE BEEN REPORTED THIS YEAR. OVER FOUR THOUSAND HAVE DIED OF THE DISEASE IN BIHAR. AND ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED ARE OFFICIAL REPORTED TO HAVE STARVED TO DEATH.

MANY VILLAGES IN THE GAYA AREA HAVE DESERTED THEIR HOMES AND LEFT TO SEEK WORK AND FOOD IN OTHER PARTS OF INDIA. OTHERS HAVE MADE ATTEMPTS TO DRILL NEW WELLS IN ENDLESS SEARCH FOR WATER BUT MANY WHO REMAIN SURVIVE ONLY BECAUSE INDIAN ARMY TEAMS DISPENSE FOOD AND WATER FROM MOBILE KITCHENS. OTHER TEAMS ARE DRILLING FOR WATER BUT MEANTIME FOR THE PEOPLE OF BIHAR, THE SITUATION SEEMS LIKELY TO GET WORSE.