[Aug. 16] India’s southwest coastline has been pummeled relentlessly by heavy rainfall over the past week. In the state of Kerala it has reached a dangerous climax in recent days. The flooding there is described as the worst in at least a century as normal life grinds to a halt.

More than 300 people are known to have died so far as a result of flooding and landslides, with countless more missing. Thousands and thousands have lost their homes—among them seven ALG church families. We are thanking the Lord that two of these families miraculously escaped a landslide which tragically claimed the lives of many others. The 38 million living in the state live now in constant fear.  Over 12,10,000 at last estimate have found refuge in relief camps.

In this region Bibles for Mideast has mission fields and ALG churches among tribal  and jungle people.

Many areas there is no electricity, no network, no pure water to drink, and it is very difficult to reach many places, because we are unable to travel by road.  Roads are filled with water.

On Thursday, people were being air-lifted to safety from several inundated areas.

 “Our state is in the midst of an unprecedented flood havoc,” Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s chief minister, says. “The calamity has caused immeasurable misery and devastation.”

Periods of heavy rain are expected to persist in the days ahead across the west coast of India. While there is perhaps some hint that the torrential onslaught may ease by early next week, the forecast through the weekend includes multiple inches of rain for Kerala and surrounding areas.

Please remember these dear people and the entire region in your prayers. Let’s be praying God has His agents in these shelters and in all the emergency situations and efforts, and He will be somehow glorified in the midst of tragedy and loss.

 If you are able to contribute  to Bibles for Mideast’s efforts to help,  please visit the SUPPORT OUR WORK section of the CONTACT US page.  Most importantly of course, please pray.

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.”  —2 Chron. 7:13-15