Dehydration looms large over border village

"There is no epidemic yet. But dehydration problem is turning serious with every passing day," he says.

The scarcity of water and fodder has taken a heavy toll on the cattles in the area and forced migration of people of the village.

The entire region West of Barmer district under which Gadra Road falls is littered with carcasses, mostly of sheep and cow. Once in a while, one comes across carcasses of camels too.

Life has been particularly cruel to farmers and those rearing cattle.

The migration has consequently not stopped. "In a villageof 500 households, one or two from each of them has left the village in search of greener pastures," said 65-year-old Udara whose son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren have also joined the exodus.

Another man ready to leave the village is pan-shop owner Udham Lal. But he has no idea where to go.

"Sahib, I’ll go anywhere. Take me along. I’ll do anything," says Lal. Desperation and the urge to live on are unmistakable in his eyes and voice as he walks towards the tiny railhead outside the village.