Mumbai: Yes Monsoon, No Rain!

The South West Monsoon arrived dot on time in Kerala on 1st June, 2020 and hit Maharashtra on 11th June--late by only a day. In the next two days the Monsoon covered all of Maharashtra including the COVID-tormented city of Mumbai. While there have been heavy rains in all parts of the state Mumbai and its suburbs have not felt the presence of the Monsoon yet--rains so far only scattered and inconsistent, unable to lessen the discomfort of the people as humidity was increasing all the time. Recently cyclone Nisarga headed for Mumbai side-tracked the city at the last minute and roared into interior Maharashtra just before the Alibaug town on the coast. That was perhaps a sort of a divine intervention sparing the city reeling under COVID spread from another disaster. In the last two days thunderstorms as per weather forecast for Mumbai and Thane didn't materialize at all. However, we would rather not expect the same treatment to be meted out to the city in regard to the Monsoon too. 

The summer this time was marked by relentless heat in the range of 35 to 41 in the city and suburbs including the satellite city of Thane for than two months in the period March-May. There was not even a hint of any dark clouds or high wind during this time--the unusually merciless heat consisting of both dry and humid spells. The desperately-awaited relief was provided by Nisarga; but it lasted only for two days, not coinciding with the monsoon build-up. The temperatures did come down to around 30-34, but was neutralized by rising humidity levels. In the city, particularly in Thane areas, the sky remained mostly cloudy throughout with drizzle only at times and the sun managing to peep out at other times for the last few days, and with no major downfall or thundershowers the humid heat has started getting unbearable. 

Nowadays we never know the ways of Mother Nature, be it weather or natural disasters or spread of the Coronavirus. As seen in the recent years a week's or even a month's total expected rainfall pours down in a single day, creating rain-water havoc. We hope this doesn't happen this time in Mumbai creating more problems for the financial capital of India which has so far only partially lifted lockdown curbs and also for certain districts of Maharashtra where the killer virus is still raging. Meanwhile the rains have cheered up the farmers all over the state to launch their cultivating season in high spirits which is indeed good news as a normal monsoon can do a lot of good at this time to the distressed economy. The sky continues to remain cloudy and humid and gloomy. Let the rains, in equalized daily installments, break the gloom and bring cheers to the hearts of the pensive people, mostly locked up at homes with masked and socially distanced outings, of the maximum city...

COVID And Amphan: Indian Contrasts In Crisis Times!

When the extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan hit Kolkata and adjoining districts of West Bengal in the evening of 20^th May, 2020, with a speed ranging from 110 to 133 km per hour the damage could very well be anticipated. West Bengal is not new to cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal, in fact, three cyclones namely ‘Fani’, ‘Bulbul’ and ‘Amphan’ swept over the state within a span of one year only—from May 2019 to May 2020. However, the force and speed of Amphan was unprecedented in the state as some point out that the areas had not seen such a severe cyclone in 283 years. By late night that fateful day, closeted in the control room of her secretariat in Howrah, Chief Minister Mamata Bannerji, distressed and sad, said while briefing the media online that a few districts of her state and Kolkata were totally destroyed and it would take days to assess the damage apart from the loss of lives. She desperately hoped that the central government would come in with some help as her state was already drained of resources with the battle against COVID-19 raging on. Didi, as she is popularly known, also hoped Prime Minister Modi would come and see the damage for himself. And, the Indian Prime Minister responded magnanimously, announcing the very next morning his decision to visit the state on 22^ndMay.

Political differences between BJP-ruled central government and TMC-ruled West Bengal state government are only too well known with both parties not stopping the rivalries and the parleys even during COVID times, in fact, fighting over COVID issues in recent days. Therefore, Mamata wishing for Modi’s presence and Modi’s gesture in coming immediately is being viewed in a new light: that they have come together in a spirit of cooperation in the time of crisis, setting aside politics for the moment. The Prime Minister expressed full solidarity with the state government—hit by twin-tragedies, and praised its efforts in tackling both the catastrophes. He assured full help at every step of the way ahead—restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation and the like, and announced a preliminary financial package for immediate expenses.  Later in her media brief at the airport after seeing off the Prime Minister, Mamata Bannerji appreciated Modi’s visit and his promise of joint efforts, not saying anything against the offer of help as claimed by a ‘national’ news channel that started carrying supers ‘Mamata Slams Aid’.

Unfortunately, Maharashtra wing of the BJP failed to learn any lesson from its central leadership bonhomie, and selected this same say to stage public protests all over the state claiming the state government’s mishandling of the COVID fight, perhaps the very first instance of such kind in the worldwide war against the killer virus. One of their allegations, as puerile as it sounded, was that why Maharashtra has witnessed such a spike in cases while Kerala handled it so competently. Well, ‘serving’ the interests of the local people for decades they still don’t understand why Mumbai is Mumbai, and why it should have the largest number of COVID-19 infections, like, in a similar way, why the virus should select New York for its special treatment. In totality, they must understand that COVID is not a political phenomenon and doesn’t go by who ruled which state. At this hour of crisis for the state the best option for them is to inspire the people to follow the precautions religiously and to jump in the fray for total cooperation. Perhaps, in India, political parties need multiple tragedies strike in unison to make them lose their political rivalries and power-hungry politics, even if for the time being.  

Hurricane Sandy Vs Cyclone Nilam!

The biggest ever natural calamity to hit USAcame on Monday in the form of Hurricane Sandy and is far from over on the third day today. The super-storm first attacked Atlantacity in New Jerseydemolishing the gambling mecca there in particular, maybe as a symbolic fury of Mother Nature for sinful human excesses. Then the raging storm advanced towards New York City and caused maximum damage on the most happening place of the world. On the third day today Sandy headed for Canada.

Arguably the most advanced nation of the world has been found crying for mercy as Hurricane Sandy methodically progressed on its incredible course of devastation. More than 50 people have perished so far despite all the precautions taken and evacuation done on a war footing. More than 8 million households and businesses have lost power, and again incredibly enough it may take days to restore electricity. Swaths of NYC have been submerged under water continuously. More than 15000 flights have been cancelled with three airports of NYC area remaining closed for days. The USshare markets were closed for two days—a record since 1888. With the Presidential Elections scheduled for the 6th of November poll campaigns by President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney have been cancelled for the third day today. There have been speculations about even postponing the national polls that never happened in US history.  

Meantime Cyclone Nilam has risen over the Bay of Bengal and was headed towards the Indian coastal states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Heavy rains have lashed Tamil Nadu for the second day today along with high velocity winds. Emergency precautions are being taken with fishermen asked not to venture out into the sea and hundreds of thousands of people evacuated and shifted to safer places. Latest reports reveal that Cyclone Nilam has made a landfall at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and is likely to intensify as per the met office.

Mother Nature is supreme. She can wreak havoc at will and punish human follies any time She wants. Mortals must realize this irrespective of the levels of modernization or the heights of civilization they have supposedly reached.

Praise and revere thy Mother!