Monday, September 25, 2023
GFA.org
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
No Result
View All Result
Home Press Releases

Gospel for Asia Calls for Prayer as India Water Crisis Threatens Hundreds of Millions

Critical Water Shortages Have ‘Reached Point of No Return,’ Megacity Chennai Fights Thirst

July 24, 2019
inPress Releases
0

Critical Water Shortages Have ‘Reached Point of No Return,’ Megacity Chennai Fights ThirstWILLS POINT, TX — Christian missions agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) today called for Christians to pray as South India remains in the grip of a critical water shortage that threatens hundreds of millions of lives.

Christian missions agency Gospel for Asia calls Christians to pray as South India remains in the grip of a critical water shortage that threatens millions

As many as 600 million people – almost half of India’s 1.3 billion population – face acute water shortage, and experts warn some cities could run out of water entirely by 2020. For GFA’s special report on the water crisis, visit www.gfa.org/press/water-crisis

India is prone to cycles of devastating drought and severe flooding. Due to weather patterns in different parts of the country, some areas suffer drought while other regions experience floods at the same time. This month, torrential monsoon rains lashed part of northeast India and Nepal with flash floods claiming more than 200 lives and affecting 10 million people.

The megacity of Chennai in Southeast India had virtually run out of water until rain on July 15 raised hopes of relief for the city’s nine million residents, who have been largely dependent on water shipped in via trucks and trains.

“Every day that the rains delay, the crisis deepens,” said Gospel for Asia (GFA) founder Dr. K.P. Yohannan. “We’ve reached a desperation point, and the people of Chennai are crying out for rain. I am asking our friends around the world to please pray and intercede on behalf of those in Chennai.” Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers in Texas have been praying together to ask God to send more rain.

Despite the recent rain, with the monsoon failing to come on time, the city’s four main reservoirs have completely dried up and wells have also run dry in the country’s sixth largest city. Desperate residents are lining up for hours in the heat, hoping to fill their plastic buckets with water shipped in by a fleet of government-run trucks. The few who can afford to buy water from private sellers have seen the price more than double since May.

“The coconut trees are withered. The cattle have no grass. The wells are dried up,” said a GFA-supported pastor in Chennai — the biggest city in the state of Tamil Nadu.

“Pastors and those in their communities are struggling every day to get enough water for their basic needs,” Yohannan said. “The water trucks come only once every two days – and this puts enormous pressure on families desperate for drinking water.”

GFA-supported pastors are purchasing water from private water carriers to provide much-needed drinking water. Covered in dust, people are also desperate for water to bathe, wash their clothes, and clean cooking utensils.

“Currently, we’re finding difficulty getting water even for drinking,” one pastor said.

The water shortages are sparking tensions in the manufacturing hub of Chennai as competition for limited water becomes fierce. “I remember my mother telling me that the next war will be over water, but I never thought I’d have to fight others to take a shower,” resident Richard Lynrah told local media.

The crisis has shut down many hotels and heightened fears that critical services such as hospitals could suffer.

The devastating drought started last year when monsoon rains failed to come, and has intensified as the post-summer monsoon season, beginning in June, has also come up dry so far. Chennai gets 85 percent of its rainfall during its two rainy seasons from June to September and then from October to December.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this month, Gospel for Asia (GFA) is well known for its unique “Jesus Wells” program that helps drill thousands of wells in South Asia, providing a reliable source of clean water for entire communities and millions of people. The Texas-based ministry has also helped to distribute tens of thousands of household BioSand water filters in communities across South Asia.

“GFA stands with the people of Chennai at this critical hour and we will do all we can to come alongside families and show them God’s love in practical ways,” Yohannan said.


PHOTO CUTLINE: Faith-based agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) today called for Christians to pray as South India remains in the grip of a critical water shortage that threatens hundreds of millions of lives.

Media interested in interviews should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or gwooding@inchristcommuications.com


About Gospel for Asia

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019, Gospel for Asia (GFA) is a leading Christian mission agency, bringing vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ. This has included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,000 wells drilled, over 11,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 200,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news.

Tags: Dr KP YohannanGlobal Water CrisisGlobal Water Crisis FactsGospel for AsiaIndia Water CrisisWater CrisisWater Crisis FactsWater ScarcityWater Scarcity FactsWater Shortage
ShareTweet
Previous Post

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

Next Post

Gospel for Asia Sounds Alarm About ‘America’s Hidden Slaves’

Related Posts

A shocking number of adults around the world can't read or write, says mission agency GFA World as it marks International Literacy Day
Press Releases

GFA World Spotlights Global ‘Crisis’ of Adults Who Can’t Read or Write

September 7, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) Mission agency launches sewing machine campaign, empowers families in Africa and Asia to escape grinding poverty
Press Releases

GFA World Helps Families ‘Sew Their Way Out of Poverty’

May 24, 2023
KP Yohannan (Metropolitan Yohan), Founder & President of GFA World, shares on the radical impact of the life and ministry of George Verwer
Press Releases

K.P. Yohannan: George Verwer’s Invitation to ‘Come, Die, and Live’ Radically Changed My Life

May 12, 2023
Few people knew George Verwer, legendary founder of Operation Mobilization (OM) who died April 14, in the same way as KP Yohannan
Press Releases

My Mentor George Verwer: ‘He Lived Like the Apostle Paul — Radical to the End’

May 2, 2023
Few people knew George Verwer, legendary founder of Operation Mobilization (OM), in the same way as KP Yohannan, founder of GFA World.
Press Releases

George Verwer: KP Yohannan Salutes Missions Legend Who Died April 14

April 18, 2023
Texas-based mission Gospel for Asia Jesus Wells provides clean drinking water to nearly 40 million desperate people across Asia
Press Releases

GFA World ‘Jesus Well’ Project Ends Villagers’ ‘Water Woes’

April 9, 2023
Next Post
The modern slave trade involves forced or bonded labor, prostitution, and forced marriage. In some countries, victims are sold for as little as $90...

Gospel for Asia Sounds Alarm About ‘America’s Hidden Slaves’

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Discover how GFA World Child Sponsorship transformed Pachai's life from poverty & insecurity to a bright future filled with hope & education.
Featured Stories

A Higher Education Seemed Impossible for Him

September 20, 2023
Discover Nandak's remarkable journey from darkness to light, as he finds hope, healing, and transformation through the power of God's Word.
Featured Stories

Transformed by the Word

September 13, 2023
A shocking number of adults around the world can't read or write, says mission agency GFA World as it marks International Literacy Day
Press Releases

GFA World Spotlights Global ‘Crisis’ of Adults Who Can’t Read or Write

September 7, 2023
Discover the impact of GFA World Bible College on Pastor Sachh's ministry and the transformation of South Asian villages.
Featured Stories

Healed in an Instant!

September 6, 2023

Press Contact

  • Name: Press Relations
  • Phone: 972-300-3379
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://www.gfa.org

Social Connect

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-972-300-7777
Website: https://www.gfa.org

Connect on Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

News Categories

  • Article
  • Featured Stories
  • Field Reports
  • GFA World Magazine
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases

News Archive

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Discover how GFA World Child Sponsorship transformed Pachai's life from poverty & insecurity to a bright future filled with hope & education.

A Higher Education Seemed Impossible for Him

September 20, 2023
Discover Nandak's remarkable journey from darkness to light, as he finds hope, healing, and transformation through the power of God's Word.

Transformed by the Word

September 13, 2023
A shocking number of adults around the world can't read or write, says mission agency GFA World as it marks International Literacy Day

GFA World Spotlights Global ‘Crisis’ of Adults Who Can’t Read or Write

September 7, 2023
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
  • Media Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

Go to mobile version