As Migrants Flee Cities, Concerns About COVID-19 Surge In Villages

Evoking memories of the last national lockdown, hundreds of migrants in badly affected Mumbai packed into trains as bars, malls and restaurants have again been forced to down shutters.

India reported another record number of new COVID-19 infections on Friday and daily deaths hit their highest in more than five months, as it battles a second wave of infections and states complain of a persistent vaccine shortage. Evoking memories of the last national lockdown when tens of thousands of people walked on foot back to their homes, hundreds of migrants in badly affected Mumbai packed into trains as bars, malls and restaurants have again been forced to down shutters. One of those fleeing was Surender Puri, who recently lost his job as a cook at a restaurant in Mumbai's suburb. "There is no other option for me except to return because cooking is the only skill I brought to Mumbai," said Mr Puri, 31, as he waited to board a train back to his village in the country's east.