Chaos after Rain

             It may sometimes be difficult to believe what we see after the rain. The water-logged road after two days of incessant rain. The broad Rotary Road lined with trees and houses on both the sides. This is one of the busiest roads of the city, difficult to cross on normal days due to the heavy rush of traffic. But that day it was different. The road was submerged in knee-deep water in front of our house.

             It was morning. Not a single bus or car could be seen plying on the road on that day. The students with rucksacks on their backs were wading through knee-deep water to reach their school nearby. The wheels of the parked cars were under water. Anil, my brother, could not move his car. In the foreground Anil can be seen. He volunteered to take my youngest sister to school by carrying her on his back. But he could not make it. The unusually heavy downpour continued in full fury for two days continuously. There were flashes of lightning accompanied by peals of thunder. The drainage system failed completely. There was severe large-scale water-logging. At some places, the level of the water was chest-high. Most of the civic services came to a standstill. School children and office goers bore the brunt of the consequences. It took 2 to 3 hours for the harried motorists to reach their offices.

             Public transport was severely hit. It caused hardship to everyone. Traffic jams became the rule of the road. There were several accidents. The vastly reduced number of buses which plied were chock-full. It caused frayed tempers. Most commuters were drenched. They feared impending attacks of cold and fever over the coming days.

             Rail tracks were submerged in water. It disrupted train services. Roadside vendors and stall owners were unable to do business. In the low lying areas temporary mud and bamboo structure houses collapsed; but the merciful God prevented any loss of life.

             Rainy season has a unique flavor. It is fascinating to see the sky laden with dark clouds and lightning tearing across them. But when rains change the streets into swift rivulets, often deep, it is difficult to say whether it is a challenge for man or it is his misfortune.