This summer, India is facing the worst water crisis in its history. Both urban and rural populations in many parts of the country are suffering with water sources running dry. According to a government think tank, 21 cities in India are likely to run out of ground water and 40 percent of Indians could be left without fresh drinking water by next year. Our correspondent visited the sixth largest city in India, where all four reservoirs are completely dry and people are scrambling for water.

RAVINDER BAWA CHENNAI "Chennai is facing one of the worst water scarcity in history. Water is being brought from neighbouring districts and supplied to the residents for household use."

These days Anthony Amma, a daily wage labourer, begins her day scrambling for water at one of the government's water distribution points. Residents of Chennai city like Amma are facing acute water shortage since January. The government is not able to meet even half the demand forcing Amma and others to hire vehicles to fulfil their own needs.

ANTHONY AMMA RESIDENT, CHENNAI "There is no water from the Chennai corporation nor from the bore wells. I get only 4 pots from the tanker near the house. It costs us 300 rupees everyday to get water."

Water crisis has hit businesses like hospitality and IT industry in a big way. Software professional Vishnupriya has been working from home for about a month now.

Four lakes like these which were the main source of water have dried.

Many water bodies have been encroached and new cities have sprung up in and around them leading the deepening of the crisis.

While people wait in queues hoping rain to arrive, the government maintains that they can supply adequate water to the residents till November. Ravinder Bawa, Delhi.