India: The Thirsty City

In Bombay last week, prayer was on every lip. Hindus chanted ancient Sanskrit devotions. Moslems turned toward Mecca and sought Allah's mercy. Fire-worshiping Parsis invoked Zoroaster. For 30 minutes one day, even the frenzied babble of Bombay's stock exchange subsided into a quiet whisper of prayers. All were looking to the heavens for the same thing: rain.

Because of a tardy monsoon, India's No. 1 port city faced the worst crisis in its history. Usually the annual rains boil up out of the Arabian Sea in June, cross the Indian coastline around Bombay, then move drenchingly inland, reviving thirsty lands and building up water supplies for the coming year. This season, the monsoon arrived on schedule June 10th, but after a few teasing showers in eastern and northern India, the skies suddenly cleared and the sun reemerged, baking the earth and burning off the dwindling water in Bombay's four main reservoirs. By last week, the city was down to no more than a six-week supply.

In some areas of the city, black-market water was bringing 24¢ a bucket. Ships putting into port received only enough water to get them to the next stop. Building construction ground to a complete halt. Other industries were forced to close for a day. City authorities were even discussing the possibility of evacuating many of Bombay's 5,000,000 people to less arid regions of India.

At one point last week, it looked as if Bombay's prayers might finally be answered. Clouds thickened; then a fine drizzle fell over the city. It lasted only a few hours. What Bombay needed was a solid four or five days of full-fledged monsoon. At week's end the best the weatherman could offer was a forecast of "cloudy with occasional rains or showers."