Mumbai Rains: Come September...And Monsoon Fury!

Finally…the moment September entered the Monsoon poured and poured, and the first major disruption of normal life of the season happened. Since morning today heavy rains lashed parts of Mumbai city, the central suburbs and the district of Thane. Normal activities were disrupted with slowing or stopping trains, traffic jams and water logging. But the showers brought cheers, because it rained heavily in several drought-hit areas of Maharashtra and also in catchments areas leading to overflowing lakes that supply water to the city of Mumbai. The Mumbaikarsrejoiced. The farmers rejoiced.

As Mumbaikars were relishing  the relief from possible water cuts in future and withdrawal of the present 10% cut the Monsoon shifted its sights over to the main city and the western suburbs since afternoon. Torrential and continuous heavy rains till late evening brought the city to a standstill with the homecoming commuters hopelessly stranded. Every street, road and lanes got clogged; trains almost stopped with water flowing over platforms and railway tracks; all potentially prone spots got flooded and many colonies and roads got submerged. As we said earlier maybe the suffering people still cheered the showers! 

For example I was not exactly disheartened while coming back home from a hard day’s work in office by car in early evening and getting caught in the full blast of the continuous showers. Even though it took me four hours to cover five and half kilometers. My wife too got caught in the western suburbs where she went for a job and it took five hours for her to reach home by walking through knee-deep water first and then taking a train that toddled literally through watery ways.  I was only annoyed as it delayed a few important tasks. Overall, we feel happy for the farmers and ourselves. Hail Monsoon! Now eradicate the full deficit next! 

Driving The Rains!

The day Anna Hazare made history and had his breakfast we decided to relax! It was raining heavily for past two days and we set off to Lonavla amidst black skies and pouring rains. When there it was just raining and we enjoyed nature in rains with our car drive.

We were driving through Mumbai-Pune Expressway and in places of Lonavla, Karla and Khandala. These are not sample of excellent professional photography. But sharing our ecstasy is important. Enjoy! 

 Happy rain driving! 

Out On A Drive In A Rainy Day!

For two days incessant rains lashed Mumbai--starting from the night of 30th July.

Yesterday, the 1st of August, it was continuously raining since early morning. The sky was heavy with black clouds. But we had to set out to Akurdi, a town near Pune, for a musical function where Ragini was to perform. We left around 8am, myself, Ragini and a tabla player. I was in the driving seat. 

And, it was a drive to remember on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. 

We encountered beautiful nature at every step of the way. The black clouds pouring drizzling and scattering rains all the time. The tireless wipers succeeded in giving us an uninterrupted wet view of the surroundings. The heavy dark sky silhouetted the lush greenery and the darker green hills in  riveting contrast. Passing cars raised white foamy bursts every time.

When ascending near Lonavla the clouds came down and touched the hills.  We were driving through the clouds and it was exhilarating! The occasional tunnels provided temporary breaks from the panoramic expanse making it more exciting. 

We enjoyed bountiful nature all the way to our destination. From our hearts we thanked mother nature and also the tremendous engineering efforts that made this super expressway possible.

When we reached it was still wet heavy and dark. But what a contrast that provided to our car ride! A drive to cherish for a long time!