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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Rains in Mumbai this year

It has been an eye-opener. This year, it poured torrentially in Mumbai. It took just a month for half of the entire season's average rainfall to fall upon the city. By now, we have had more rainfall than what we have had in the last over 35 years! By the end of August, all the seven lakes that supply water to this metropolis were full to the brim, or at least over the levels reached in the past several years. The water cuts imposed on the city last year were removed by the civic committees that look at the problem officially. Everyone seemed to be happy at this decision.

However, there is a flip side to this situation too. The heavy rains caused several accidents: tree branches that fell on unsuspecting citizens and either killing or maiming them, walls that fell on to sleeping dwellers and killing them there and then, landslides at construction sites, flooding, and above all, a very high incidence of malaria, typhoid, jaundice and other tropical diseases that filled up all the  beds in the various public as well as private hospitals. 

As I write this, I am filled with sadness at the various tragic occurrences, but, also, I am happy, for the busy season brought me a lot of professional satisfaction, and money too. I am happier, even, for the fact that no one in my own family - nuclear, joint, or extended, had any of the problems I listed above. For this, I can only thank the merciful and bountiful Allah, who continues to bless us.

It would be interesting to learn from you, dear reader, about your experiences with extremes of climate - whether rains, or heat, or cold. I know from Anna that she had to face extremes of cold where she lives. A comment by you would be welcome if you are reading this, my friend.

3 comments:

Travellingcamera said...

Here in Delhi most of us cribbed about heat and sometimes fog.. but this year we have another to crib about - Monsoons...

Probably it doesn't impact me in any bigger sense but yes there are lot many people in Delhi who have lost a lot many things...

I have seen people who used to live on the bank of Yamuna and agriculture was their main source of bread... Now most of them have to leave their houses and fields... Now they are living under flyovers or road sides...

Monsoon-2010 had some bad impacts on Common Wealth Games as well..

AnNaMoR said...

Extremes of cold....well..Poland isn't a polar region though it may seem so in comparison to India. :) But true, on my way to India last February I covered the distance of not only over 6000kms but also 50 degrees C. It is also true that last winter was the coldest in a decade. Unfortunately, the forecast for the coming one is even worse.

So much for the global warming...

Anna.

Taher Kagalwala said...

Dear VJ,

Thanks for looking into my blog. I agree with all that you have written. I have some in-laws living at Chandigarh, and they, too, were out of their depth with the way the rains came on unexpected days this year.

Anna, yes, I know all about your 50 degree shift! Also, I thank you for the visit and the apt comments. I wonder why you said "so much for the global warming" at the end. It seemed as if you don't hold G.W. responsible for these unforeseen occurrences. On the contrary, most people think G.W. is responsible.