Mumbai Update

1st Aug 2005. Well I am stranded at home today as the rains didn’t let up and it’s been pouring continuously through the night. The scene is a little better today compared to the 26th as the state officials have geared up and BMC (our civic authorities) are posted around in all those areas which are susceptible to flooding and landslides. The police officials have been monitoring the situation since Friday and so far the situation seems under control.

There has been water logging/flooding in several places and mumbaites have been advised not to venture out unless it’s an emergency. Its 11am and the rain mercifully has turned to a drizzle in my locality and I can see some light outside. It was gloomy and dark since morning. The cable network has gone on the blink again and I have been keeping track of the news via good ol radio 92.5 FM. Mercifully the land line is still on so I am able to access the Internet and get some work done online.

It’s been a week since 26th and if this continues I shudder to imagine the ramifications of the situation. Debris collected everywhere. I have seen entire walls collapsed on the road. Trees fallen on the road. Most roads have been damaged. In some cases entire localities have gone under water or affected by a landside and officials unable to initiate rescue operations even today in those areas. Chances of a widespread epidemic run rife.

Hopefully things will lighten up. Hopefully I should be back to work by tomorrow. Well this is Mumbai. A city with a never say die attitude. It won’t be long before the city bounces back. Amen.