MORE than 100 Hindu devotees yesterday gathered at a river to pray for rain because the drought has greatly affected their farms.
The devotees at Anuve and Dreketilailai in Macuata depend on vegetables and cane for income but the dry spell has not helped at all.
Spokesman Bindesh Chand said the leaders in the area planned the prayer session because farmers were complaining about the drought.
“The drought is a serious issue and most of us have not had good crops so far this year,” he said.
“We actually depend on vegetables for income when the harvesting season is over and that is why we have come to pray for rain.
“A lot of farmers in this area have not been able to meet the demand of vegetables from vendors in the market and it is because the drought has affected our crops.”
Mr Chand said last year, the believers also held a similar program.
“It has become an annual program ever since the long droughts started in our area,” he said.
“And after our prayer last year, it rained heavily. The farmers were happy because our crops grew well and it topped up our drums of water.
“When there is a drought, sometimes our water supply gets affected but otherwise it is OK.”
Mr Chand said women and children were also encouraged to get involved.
“Everyone’s prayers will be heard by God and so we gather at the river to ask him to send us some rain.”
