By Nupur Bansal,XII, CJM
Monsoons begin in our city of Mumbai by mid July. The rains bring much relief after the sweltering heat of summers. But one city has experienced many problems due to these heavy rains in the recent years and it has been very ill equipped to manage these. Still, there have been negligible or no efforts on the part of the government or the citizens to take steps to better the conditions during the monsoons. After all this, if the rains strike the city unexpectedly a month before its time of arrival, it is bound to cause havoc and unlimited problems for the people of the city.
Last year’s days of 7th and 8th June were a turning point for the people of Mumbai. Unexpectedly, there was a heavy downpour which completely disturbed the lives of the people of the city. There was a light rainfall on 6th evening which eventually turned into heavy rain on the 7th. Accompanied by thunder and lightning, the rains struck the city in such a way that it seemed it would never stop. The big trouble began when there was water everywhere and within three hours many streets were blocked. The roads were covered with one foot deep water and the traffic was unable to move at all. There were jams on the roads as people were unable to drive on the flooded roads. Others were stuck either in their homes or schools or their working places.
News telecast was stopped and the cable went off within another hour. Soon, the electricity poles were damaged due to the heavy wind and rains and the electricity also went out. Telephone and mobile connections were cut. People were unable to communicate with each other. As the rains continued the next day too, many necessities seemed to be unavailable. People, in their offices, had spent their nights there and could not return had spent their nights there and could not return home that day too. Food was finishing in these working areas and the absence of electricity prevented the people from keeping themselves busy with something or the other.
Ever in a city like Mumbai, everything seemed to have come to a halt. No television, no telephone, no electricity, no vehicles. No one was seen on the streets or roads due to the heavy rains. Even some buildings were reported to be damaged due to the heavy rains and many people lost their lives by high water levels in the Arabian Sea. The slums in Mumbai were most affected. These were the areas of the least sanitary facilities and most unhygienic living and thus, were heavily affected. The sanitary conditions worsened due to water accumulation and diseases spread by water- borne vectors.
But, those two days of heavy rains served as an awakening for the people. Everyone stretched out a hand to help the other in every possible way. When the rains stopped the next day, new decisions were formulated immediately by the municipality and the government. New roads were built soon and electricity, television, and telephone connections were restored. Life soon came back to normal but now more efforts need to be made to make adequate drainage facilities so that such a condition would not arise in the next time the rains strike the city. Today, are we ready to face any such day of heavy rainfall enjoy the rains rather than suffer due to them??
Last year’s days of 7th and 8th June were a turning point for the people of Mumbai. Unexpectedly, there was a heavy downpour which completely disturbed the lives of the people of the city. There was a light rainfall on 6th evening which eventually turned into heavy rain on the 7th. Accompanied by thunder and lightning, the rains struck the city in such a way that it seemed it would never stop. The big trouble began when there was water everywhere and within three hours many streets were blocked. The roads were covered with one foot deep water and the traffic was unable to move at all. There were jams on the roads as people were unable to drive on the flooded roads. Others were stuck either in their homes or schools or their working places.
News telecast was stopped and the cable went off within another hour. Soon, the electricity poles were damaged due to the heavy wind and rains and the electricity also went out. Telephone and mobile connections were cut. People were unable to communicate with each other. As the rains continued the next day too, many necessities seemed to be unavailable. People, in their offices, had spent their nights there and could not return had spent their nights there and could not return home that day too. Food was finishing in these working areas and the absence of electricity prevented the people from keeping themselves busy with something or the other.
Ever in a city like Mumbai, everything seemed to have come to a halt. No television, no telephone, no electricity, no vehicles. No one was seen on the streets or roads due to the heavy rains. Even some buildings were reported to be damaged due to the heavy rains and many people lost their lives by high water levels in the Arabian Sea. The slums in Mumbai were most affected. These were the areas of the least sanitary facilities and most unhygienic living and thus, were heavily affected. The sanitary conditions worsened due to water accumulation and diseases spread by water- borne vectors.
But, those two days of heavy rains served as an awakening for the people. Everyone stretched out a hand to help the other in every possible way. When the rains stopped the next day, new decisions were formulated immediately by the municipality and the government. New roads were built soon and electricity, television, and telephone connections were restored. Life soon came back to normal but now more efforts need to be made to make adequate drainage facilities so that such a condition would not arise in the next time the rains strike the city. Today, are we ready to face any such day of heavy rainfall enjoy the rains rather than suffer due to them??
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