'Our whole life is disrupted': hope dries up as Chennai battles historic drought

As residents queue for daily rations and businesses suffer, city's politicians squabble over how to tackle shortages

Travelling through Chennai, it is not hard to find a row of empty pots dotting the pavements. Deep in the slums of Mylai, a long line collects behind a bright yellow tanker. The driver fills the public tank while people wait their turn to fill four pots of water. Any more than four is considered risky and can provoke clashes.

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