The monsoons in India. The very word sound music to the ears after a long and hot summers where temperatures can rise upto 48 degrees Celsius in Delhi. Monsoon brings respite from the long heat and the rising electricity bills due to the constant “airconditioning” of our homes.
I welcomed the prospect of rains like others. However, while
the Uttarkhand region was being lashed with rains, Delhi got sporadic showers.
Mostly the weather was humid with sweat being a constant companion. The rain
God eluded Delhi for most part.
So when finally it rained yesterday, I welcomed it. I
thought – what is the best way to spend a rainy day – driving right through! With
the pleasant sound of the rain on the roof of the car. I left office on time to savor the feeling of
being in rain. Probably one of the best decisions I made!
The pitter patter soon turned to a gale with the water
coming down as if somebody was pouring it from a bucket. The wipers of my car seemed
to be working overtime. Visibility soon turned to minimal with winds gushing at
very high speeds.
I looked ahead. All the other cars had slowed their speeds to
about 20 kmph. I followed suit. All the other cars soon turned on their
blinkers. I resisted the temptation. Blinker is to be turned on only in dire
circumstances I had learned and this did not seem so dire – yet: at least we
were all moving. Further on, the wind speed increased and the visibility
dropped further. I turned my blinkers on.
The wish for a shower, the wish for a monsoon rain was being
washed away in the huge gush of water falling from the skies. The speed of the
cars ahead soon died to a 5 kmph. Damn! I
thought. A traffic jam!
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| Water Logging - A Constant Monsoon Companion |
The cars ahead had stopped. I didn’t know till when the jam
session is going to last. I felt like jumping off the car and getting drenched
to cool off. I did the more sensible thing however and switched on the radio.
Music and rain has a way of going together somehow. The rain now seemed to
dance to the tunes as the music flowed through the system. I started enjoying
myself.
The cars ahead moved and the gradually jam cleared. The
musical shower continued till I reached home about an hour later than normal.
Boy was I lucky!! From what I later saw in the news, actual jam began after the
rains! and lasted for hours. Mainly due to water logging.
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| Mohenjo Daro Drainage |
In Delhi, the drains stop working as soon as the rains come.
It’s as if they have a built in sensor which says “hey rain is coming: stop
work!” Water then flows to the streets
and cars get a free under side wash.
Nowadays, I see, all the good underground drainages are
being scrapped in most of Delhi. Instead old fashioned open “nullahas” or
drains are being dug up and covered with tiles. Back to basics. What a way to
spend money. Maybe the city authorities need to visit Mohen-jo-daro and learn a
thing or two about building drains. That might help!
So… what is the best way to spend a rainy day in Delhi? Indoors!
Having tea and listening to music. Or – if you feel up to it: music and the roof.
J
Abhishek
