NEW DELHI: Facing the imminent threat of a state-wide famine due to drought and witheringof crops, a spokesman of the Bombay Government last evening [Sept 26] gloomily predicted that if rains did not fall within next 48 hours the food position would be `irretrievably lost`. Serious famine would be the alternative to rains, he added, and said that once famine comes in it would affect not any one part but the entire state.

Gujrat would be the worst-affected area followed by [Karnataka] and Maharashtra.

The officials are particularly alarmed about Gujrat which had earlier reported bumper crops and where now lacl( of drinl(ing water has driven thousands of families away from over 90 villages towards the plains. Cattle were starving due to the lack of fodder.

Surat district is equally hard-hit, as a result of which people from several villages have to walk six to eight miles to fetch drinking water. Day and night prayers, it is reported, are being offered in the rich rice growing district for rains. News agencies