Direction: Rearrange the following six sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) in a proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions that follow.

 

A) This rural distress is not only a humanitarian disaster, it also drags down the entire economy because of the dip in rural demand. 

B) Even if the MET department's optimistic prediction of a better-than-normal monsoon comes to pass, it will be at least two months before there is much relief in most rural areas of the country.

C) For at least 300 million rural people, in one-third of the gram panchayats in the country, the situation is really dire and problematic. 

D) Shortage of essential drinking water is only one of many problems; this water scarcity has decreased the wage income of rural labourers.

E) We are currently in the midst of an unprecedented early drought that is already affecting at least 10 states.