Well some sporadic showers have hit the city. Evoking childhood memories of running out in the rain as a child to get soaked in the first showers of the year. Also bringing along the inevitable memories of 26th July.
Was just discussing with a friend yesterday where both of us were and the experiences of that day. RB had gotten stuck somewhere near college and had gone off to a relative's place where eventually apparently it was almost a picnic atmosphere.
On the other hand a colleague and I were on the way (thankfully to South Mumbai where the rainfall recorded was much lower) to approach an organisation for sponsorship for our event.
Better sense prevailed and my colleague stayed over at my place. Another friend wasn't so fortunate. SyD was stuck at Malad and her bro was stuck in school. Meanwhile SyD's mom was at home and electricity wasn't present all the time, making cordless phones and cell phones that needed to be charged a nuisance. Somehow it landed up that SyD's dad became unconscious in the car and was taken to some hospital in Bandra (E). The news that he was put on oxygen somehow filtered through despite the telephone networks being what they were and that only made everyone all the more hyper. It would have been suicide to go out that night in an attempt to reach the hospital. Even when someone tried the next morning to reach the hospital they were greeted with head high water and the attempt was given up. I remember setting off with my colleague that afternoon. Got dropped off at the end of Mahim causeway and started my trudge across to the hospital. The vehicles and the people I passed en route told the real story. The brunt of the rain lashing that the city had to bear. Chest high water and the like had to be dealt with and finally I reached the hospital. It was a relief for SyD and family when they were finally able to talk to SyD's dad themselves. My job there was done and I began my trudge back to Bandra and them home in fast falling darkness.
Thankfully SyD's dad emerged out of the situation alive and well. It wasn't the same for all others. The people of Mumbai did come out to help those who were stranded but not everyone was lucky. It just went to show 1) how drastically the climate has been affected and is changing because of our callousness and 2) how unprepared our city is for such situations.
