They were hungry. Some had not eaten for days. Others survived on water and biscuits.
But they walked anyway for hundreds of miles, in groups of families that included men and women, young and old — all trudging along deserted highways.
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They were hungry. Some had not eaten for days. Others survived on water and biscuits.
Over the past week, India’s migrant workers — the mainstay of the country’s labor force — spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside.
They mostly live in squalid housing in congested urban ghettos. But with no daily earnings, no savings, and thus no way to buy food, they must head to their home villages to survive.
As the crisis worsened, authorities scrambled to arrange transport, shelter and food for them.
Shiv Kumari, 50, said she was thrown out of her rented accommodation in the northern state of Haryana by her landlord. She and her 28-year-old son packed their bags and set off on an arduous journey of 900 kilometers (550 miles) to their home.
In this Sunday, March 29, 2020, file photo, migrant workers walk to their villages along the Mumbai Pune highway during 21-day countrywide lockdown in Mumbai, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoRajanish Kakade, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, locals provide drinking water to Indian migrant laborers making their way on foot to their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, Indian men try to stop vehicles for migrant workers waiting for transportation to their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, a young girl lies on a luggage as she along with her family awaits transportation to her village following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, photo, an Indian migrant worker tries to make his way through a window of a bus provided by the government, as they leave for their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri)
In this Monday, March 30, 2020, file photo, an injured foot of a daily wage laborer is seen as he rests on way to his village following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus on the outskirts of Prayagraj, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoRajesh Kumar Singh, File)
In this Thursday, March 26, 2020, file photo, an Indian couple carrying an infant walk along an expressway hoping to reach their home, hundreds of miles away, as the city comes under lockdown in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, a migrant laborer's family ia silhouetted as they proceed towards their village on foot, following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Tuesday, March 31, 2020, file photo, a migrant laborers, who was stopped while trying to head back to his hometown and are being quarantined, eats a meal at a government school in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoManish Swarup, File)
In this Tuesday, March 31, 2020, file photo, a daughter of a migrant laborer who has been quarantined with her parents while they were on their way to their village, waits for her father to return with food packets at a government school in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoManish Swarup, File)
Some had nothing but flip-flops on their feet, and others lugged bags on their heads. Young parents balanced children on their shoulders.
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, Indian migrant laborers wait for buses provided by the government to transport them to their hometowns, following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP Photo, File)
Over the past week, India’s migrant workers — the mainstay of the country’s labor force — spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside.
It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colonial rule ended and the subcontinent was split between Hindu-majority India and mostly Muslim Pakistan.
India's 21-day lockdown has effectively kept 1.3 billion people at home for all but essential trips to places like markets or pharmacies. But the world's largest lockdown has turned into a humanitarian crisis for India's improvised workforce.
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, photo, Indian migrant workers sit atop a bus, provided by the government, as others walk along an expressway to their villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri)
They mostly live in squalid housing in congested urban ghettos. But with no daily earnings, no savings, and thus no way to buy food, they must head to their home villages to survive.
Train services are suspended, taxis are unaffordable and the hundreds of buses brought to the outskirts of New Delhi to ferry people home lacked enough seats.
That leaves walking. The government told India's top court on Tuesday that 500,000 to 600,000 migrants have walked to their villages from cities.
In this Friday, March 27, 2020, file photo, migrant daily wage laborers crowd a bus as they travel to their respective hometowns following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoManish Swarup, File)
As the crisis worsened, authorities scrambled to arrange transport, shelter and food for them.
But it was too late.
Some people died under the physical strain of the relentless walking, while others were killed in road accidents. Some were beaten at state borders by police, who said they were just trying to manage the crowds of people.
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, an Indian migrant family waits for transportation to their village following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
Shiv Kumari, 50, said she was thrown out of her rented accommodation in the northern state of Haryana by her landlord. She and her 28-year-old son packed their bags and set off on an arduous journey of 900 kilometers (550 miles) to their home.
On Monday afternoon, the mother-son duo, visibly exhausted, crossed a bridge over the Yamuna River, which is considered sacred by Hindus. But they were still 110 kilometers (68 miles) short of their destination.
“We have been walking for last five days,” Shiv Kumari said.
In this Thursday, March 26, 2020, file photo, a migrant worker Ramesh Meena from neighboring state of Rajasthan carries her wife Ramila Meena, who fractured her leg, on his shoulder, as they leave for their village after the city comes under lock down as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 in Ahmedabad, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAjit Solanki, File)
In this Sunday, March 29, 2020, file photo, migrant workers walk to their villages along the Mumbai Pune highway during 21-day countrywide lockdown in Mumbai, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoRajanish Kakade, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, locals provide drinking water to Indian migrant laborers making their way on foot to their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, Indian men try to stop vehicles for migrant workers waiting for transportation to their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, a young girl lies on a luggage as she along with her family awaits transportation to her village following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, photo, an Indian migrant worker tries to make his way through a window of a bus provided by the government, as they leave for their respective villages following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri)
In this Monday, March 30, 2020, file photo, an injured foot of a daily wage laborer is seen as he rests on way to his village following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus on the outskirts of Prayagraj, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoRajesh Kumar Singh, File)
In this Thursday, March 26, 2020, file photo, an Indian couple carrying an infant walk along an expressway hoping to reach their home, hundreds of miles away, as the city comes under lockdown in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Saturday, March 28, 2020, file photo, a migrant laborer's family ia silhouetted as they proceed towards their village on foot, following a lockdown amid concern over spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoAltaf Qadri, File)
In this Tuesday, March 31, 2020, file photo, a migrant laborers, who was stopped while trying to head back to his hometown and are being quarantined, eats a meal at a government school in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoManish Swarup, File)
In this Tuesday, March 31, 2020, file photo, a daughter of a migrant laborer who has been quarantined with her parents while they were on their way to their village, waits for her father to return with food packets at a government school in New Delhi, India. Over the past week, India’s migrant workers - the mainstay of the country’s labor force - spilled out of big cities that have been shuttered due to the coronavirus and returned to their villages, sparking fears that the virus could spread to the countryside. It was an exodus unlike anything seen in India since the 1947 Partition, when British colothe subcontinent, with the 21-day lockdown leaving millions of migrants with no choice but to return to their home villages. (AP PhotoManish Swarup, File)