Thursday, August 16, 2018

Thrown off gear.

The continuous rain has thrown normal life completely out of gear. The combined onslaught of the rain and the waters from the opened dams have resulted in massive flooding and water logging at various places. Rail and road traffic have come to a standstill. Many places have got cut off from the rest, resulting in the marooning of the population that desperately looks for assistance.

To make matters worse, the fresh water distribution network has got submerged in the mucky flood waters in many places and fearing contamination, the pumping stations have been shut down. The result has been chaotic - a tremendous shortage of drinking water as well as potable water, essential for cooking. From last night's downpour, water had sloshed into the ground floors of many residential areas in and around Thrissur, announcing the disaster's arrival closer to us at Guruvayur.

Many portions of the arterial road between Guruvayur and Kozhikode/Palakkad have got submerged in the seeping flood waters bringing about a breakdown in the smooth flow of traffic. The power interruptions have been continuous almost and to top it all, our maid could not make it because the bus services had been terminated. It did put a bit of pressure on Lekha while I keep my fingers crossed that the resultant cold/wet conditions do not affect her. It's not conducive for her overall health. In our case, there was no question of venturing out of the house.

Today, being Thursday, she'd planned to go to the Guruvayur temple but gave it up since there were restrictions to vehicular movement as the area in front of the Mammiyoor temple was submerged under knee deep water. A few kilometres south, along the coast line, it has been a real mess - especially, where the seawall is absent, there has been soil erosion, houses shipping in water and roads with enormous potholes, that have got submerged.

By evening, Lekha and I did some spring cleaning of the house - it's the last day of Karkkidakam and no waste is to be kept in the house - and the waste, both wet and dry were disposed off. The power situation had improved by the latter part of the day. Phew!

We thanked our stars for our well being when so many were going through miserable conditions. Wish all of them got timely help and have been shepherded into shelters of safety where warm food, good drinking water and resting arrangements were assured. The defence forces and the disaster management team have been doing yeoman service in providing timely relief measures. But there are chances, still, that quite a few would be missed due to a lack of communication!

And as I write this piece wonder how many people are left stranded for rescue - waiting desperately to be spotted - and are under severe conditions?

And tomorrow's Chingam Onnu (The first day of the Onam month of Chingam).


Tailpiece.

Adieu Vajpayee ji!   

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee (93) passed into the mist of time, this evening at 1705 hrs at the AIIMS, New Delhi. A great orator and a good human being, he was a towering personality on the country's political firmament and charismatic. My salute, tears and prayers for the great leader.       

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