In the summer of 2016, parts of India experienced record drought as a result of consecutive failed monsoons.

Global temperature records were broken each month in 2016 and India itself recorded its highest temperature of 51C. In conjunction with El Nino effects, this caused extreme environmental stresses in large parts of the country.

Sean Gallagher travelled to the city of Latur, in the state of Maharashtra, identified as the country’s worst affected area where...
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  • A farmer walks by a tree in the middle of drought-stricken farmland near the town of Latur, in western India.
  • A farmer (bottom-centre) walks across vast swathes of drought-stricken fields near the city of Latur in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
  • Villagers in the community of Sayyad Ankulga play cricket on the bed of a dried out lake near their village. Their's is one of thousands of villages that have been badly affected by the current drougb in Maharashtra.
  • A bird stands on a drought-stricken field near the city of Latur
  • A young woman carries a pot full of water through dried up fields outside the village of Sayyad Ankulga. Only two bore wells now operate near the village, the closest one being over 1 kilometre away from the village centre, forcing villagers to walk through the intense heat multiple times a day to collect water
  • Men have a wash in a trough at the Latur train station. With a very limited supply of water, residents of the city are forced to reduce the number of times they wash and clean.
  • Drought-hit farmland near Latur, Maharashtra, western India.
  • Young children play near dried up fields in the village of Sayyad Ankulga, near the city of Latur.
  • Women carry pots full of water through dried up fields outside the village of Sayyad Ankulga. Only two bore wells now operate near the village, the closest one being over 1 kilometre away from the village centre, forcing villagers to walk through the intense heat multiple times a day to collect water
  • A woman watches over her goats which graze on dry grass in drought-stricken fields near the city of Latur.
  • A girl carries sugar cane in a cattle camp near the town of Latur. Sugar cane has been blamed by many for being one of the factors contributing to drought conditions in the region as it requires high amounts of water during its growth. Failed rains have left farmers unable to grow this profitable crop, leaving many in financial trouble.
  • A young boy carries a bucket full of cut sugar cane in a cattle camp near the town of Latur. Sugar cane has been blamed by many for being one of the factors contributing to drought conditions in the region as it requires high amounts of water during its growth. Failed rains have left farmers unable to grow this profitable crop, leaving many in financial trouble
  • A group of young men walk across barren farmland near the city of Latur.
  • A woman walks through a camp in Mumbai that has been setup to receive environmental migrants who have fled drought-affected regions in the state of Maharashtra. Living in squalid conditions, the migrants are supplied with basic amounts of water with most working in the city as day labourers to make ends meet for themselves and their families.
  • A young girl collects water from a small tap outside a hospital in the city of Latur. Many residents of the city are without water however those that have access often supply their excess to others for free.
  • Lake Kava, the largest body of water close to the city of Latur has dried up completely. Locals are now digging up the soil at the bottom of the former lake, as it contains remnants of moisture that can be used on their farms nearby. This activity also serves to deepen the lake bed so that more water can be retained when the monsoon arrives in late June.
  • A woman's shadow falls behind a queue of pots, laid out by residents of the city of Latur, to collect water from a nearby tap which is distributing water for free to local residents.
  • Lake Kava, the largest body of water close to the city of Latur has dried up completely. A farmer looks over a water pipe feeding water onto his land.
  • Lake Kava, the largest body of water close to the city of Latur, Maharashtra, has dried up completely.
  • Containers full of water are delivered by government water trucks in Latur, Maharashtra. The trucks visit many of the city's communities delivering water to those in need. Crowds regularly develop and arguments often ensue as the city's desperate residents make sure they receive enough water.
  • A man washes his water buffalo is a small lake in the drought-hit region of Latur, Maharashtra, western India.
  • A man reads a newspaper on a dried up river bed in the drought-hit region of Latur, Maharashtra, western India.
  • A dried up river bed in the drought-hit region of Latur, Maharashtra, western India.
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