'We've got things to do than take calls'

The meteorological department of India (MET) phone lines remained unavailable on Tuesday soon after it predicted a cyclone along the west coast of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa yesterday.

Frantic calls for a weather update made to the department went unanswered all of Tuesday night and early morning on Wednesday.

Resident of Aundh, Sandeep Roy's desperate calls to know the rain forecast on Tuesday between 6.30 pm and 11.30 pm, and also at 6 am yesterday went unanswered.

No answer
"None of the three numbers were answered. I was scheduled to travel to Hinjewadi on my motorcycle, and wanted information on the rains and cyclone. This is unacceptable."
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Around 6.50 am yesterday, an official answered MiD DAY's call, and denied that calls were going unattended.
"It's not possible that we don't pick up the calls. You must have called when officials were busy taking readings. We have many other things to do than take calls. In fact, I have been attending calls from 4.30 am."