Entire country hit by drought: Ajit Singh Union Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh said on Thursday that the entire country, except Assam, was engulfed in a drought that was the worst in 15 years.

The annual June-September monsoon is crucial for the country's economy, contributing 25 per cent to gross domestic product and employing 70 per cent of the more than one billion population. "Earlier, we said (there was) drought in twelve states.

Now drought is everywhere except Assam. It is worse than the 1987 drought," Singh told reporters. So far, officials say rainfall is 30 per cent below normal.

NEW DELHI: REUTERS
[ THURSDAY, AUGUST 08, 2002 11:47:12 AM ]