Window International Network

Urgent prayer is needed for India after heavy and incessant rainfall since June 16, 2008 has flooded many areas in the eastern states of Assam, Orissa and West Bengal leaving some 93 people dead and nearly 2.7 million people affected. Close to 1.3 million people have been devastated by the flooding in the state of Orissa. Worst-hit districts include Balasore, Bhadarak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj with more than 1,500 villages impacted. “As I write this letter, I am surrounded by marooned villagers explaining their experiences during the past three days,” a Christian leader wrote in an e-mail received by Window International Network (WIN) on Monday, June 23, 2008. “The flood situation in northern Orissa continues to remain grim until today.”
 

 
Urgent prayer is needed for India after heavy and incessant rainfall since June 16, 2008 has flooded many areas in the eastern states of Assam, Orissa and West Bengal leaving some 93 people dead and close to 2.7 million people affected, Reuters reported.
 
Close to 1.3 million people have been devastated by the flooding in the state of Orissa. Worst-hit districts include Balasore, Bhadarak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj with more than 1,500 villages impacted. The state has requested the Indian Air Force to airdrop food and other essential items in some areas as they are cut-off by floodwaters, according to Reuters.
 
As of June 25, 2008, more than 1.5 million people have been displaced to relief camps set up by the government. The military is carrying out rescue operations in many of the affected areas and transporting people to higher ground and to the relief camps, Reuters reported.
 
“As I write this letter, I am surrounded by marooned villagers explaining their experiences during the past three days,” a Christian leader wrote in an e-mail received by Window International Network (WIN) on Monday, June 23, 2008. “The flood situation in northern Orissa continues to remain grim until today.”
 
“(There are) thousands of people marooned and awaiting relief,” the leader added. “Drinking water and dry food dropping is extremely inadequate. … The disaster management system in the country is so poor that it is beyond imagination.”
 
“Oppositions of the government and media persons are blaming the ruling party for this flood devastation,” another Christian leader wrote in an e-mail received by WIN.
 
According to Window International Network’s Praying Through The Window 9 prayer calendar, the day of prayer for India is on day 1.
 
Pray for:

Relief supplies, including water and food to reach marooned and displaced people in Orissa, India.

Government officials to do what is right and just, and to take action immediately to help victims of the flood.

Wisdom, strength, peace and hope for Christians in the region.

God’s comfort and grace for those who lost loved ones.

Christians to reach out to their neighbors in the aftermath of the flood recovery.

The people that their hearts will turn to Christ.