Children lie in mud in ritual to induce rain, Nari Bari, outside Allahabad 6/26/09. A heat wave has swept through at least half a dozen Indian states (Sify News).
This year, the annual Indian monsoon seems to be playing a hide-and-seek game with the country. Reeling under a heat wave, India is facing one of the worst agricultural crises of its times.
- View slideshow: All for the rain gods
The scorching heat has already taken its toll on 24 people across the country. Blistering hot, dry winds have swept across most parts of north and central India, wilting plants and forcing people to avoid the outdoors when they can. In the cities, large crowds of office workers gather around stalls selling cold fruit drinks.
The highest temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) this week was recorded in Bundelkhand district of the northern of Uttar Pradesh. In a bid to appease the rain gods, people are performing various rituals.
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