INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

RECENT FAMINES.
July a beneficent rainfall occurred. Meteorological
returns showed an extensive and steady
downpour for the week ending 20th July, and appearances
indicated a continuance of it. Hopes
were not unnaturally expressed that although
the rains were late, they would yet prove
sufficient. Favourable reports were received
from all districts. Enough rain had fallen for
the purposes of cultivation; and it now only
required an ordinary season, of which there
was every prospect, to insure a good harvest.
Again, there is no wonder, with such fair
prospects before them, that relief-works should
have been forgotten. Every man was now
busy at his ordinary vocation, and there was no .
cry of destitution in the land. But, alas for
human calculations! With July the favourable
season passed away; in August very little rain
fell, and in September next to none. The delay
in commencing relief-works caused by this
deceptive fall of rain in July was the source of
great suffering, but these works were put in
hand as fast ru; possible when the real state
of affairs became apparent. By November, five
great schemes of relief-works for the different