Water world, Bombay style

The city is back to showcasing its waterlogged avatar, thanks to the overzealous rain gods calling the shots in June. But will things ever change? Our sutradhars discuss the elephant in the room

“Is that you, Pheroze, in the black raincoat and matching umbrella? If you’re not, come no further…I have all kinds of disinfectant sprays in my survival kit,” warned Lady Flora when she noticed that a man dressed from head to toe in black waterproof apparel was heading towards her. She could barely recognise the face of the perceived stranger due to the mask that covered most of his face. Lady Flora was also adequately protected thanks to a massive white poncho that flattered her off-white vibe. ‘After all, who is to predict when this incessant rainfall in June will cease,’ she muttered a million times under her breath as she stood at her pedestal getting a taste of the more-than-usual downpour.

“It’s me, Lady Flora…Pheroze, your friend. Please don’t spray anything on me. It’s bad enough my vision has been tested severely with the large raindrops,” rued Sir PM. They decided to meet in the safety of an indoor set-up this time – inside St Thomas Cathedral. Her English officer friend had revealed a secret entrance to her during one of their earlier meetings, and she was more than happy to take refuge here each time the heavens opened. Sir PM grudgingly obliged to “seek favours from that English fellow” but agreed since he had no choice, really, what with the unpredictable rainfall. As usual Sir PM came with his little picnic bag - pudina chai-filled thermos and sponge tea cakes. They were perfect for the weather.

‘An unforgiving June’

“Rough past few weeks, no? For us. For all of Bombay. What do you think, Lady?” Sir PM sounded happy to be out and about after what seemed like ages. “Oh yes, Pheroze. This has been an unforgiving June. Too much rain at one go; even for Bombay’s standards. Just as the city was picking up the pieces after the second wave, the rain seems to have thrown water on their plans, literally speaking,” she exclaimed, quickly adding, “After the proactive and timely steps taken by your former employer to tackle the second wave, I’m baffled over why they continue to grapple with this old familiar enemy; it’s a predictable annual affair and yet they seem to be out of answers,” she sighed.

Sir PM’s face fell. It was always embarrassing to face these complaints about his previous bosses who continued to incur the wrath of regular citizens. And this time, it even blunted the good work during the pandemic and lockdown, he felt. “I am as stumped as you are; I was particularly sure that we would be better equipped this time, especially since they had claimed to have plugged all the usual water-logging areas,” he nodded.

“What happens now? Will Bombay have to continue to endure these woes with every heavy shower? I mean it’s only June; we have so many months more,” she was upset, slipping into her usual combative mode. Sir PM took a moment to give a face-saving response. “Lady, I heard from my sources that sections of the staff were already overworked after relentless operations that struck Bombay when the virus first arrived last year. We were the epicentre, after all,” he tried to reason with his friend. She wasn’t convinced. “But I was hoping that since we had less-than-usual crowds and services to contend with on a daily basis, it would have been smoother to ensure proper maintenance and servicing operations before the rains across our civic infrastructure and railways without any of the usual delays,” Lady Flora opined. 

Patient, resilient Mumbaikars

“Minimal or uninterrupted time to repair and remedy civic works is a double boon in a city like ours which has such a high density. If the Metro line work and Coastal Road project continue during the pandemic, and use the most modern technology, I fail to understand why the same cannot be applied to get the city relieved of this annual saga. Bombaywallahs are a patient, resilient lot, but these babus cannot take them for granted. Remember, they’re also dealing with an equally resilient virus,” she cautioned, enough to make Sir PM stop sipping on his chai and listen intently. She had raised a relevant point. “I agree that we have the bandwidth to do far better, especially after the way my former bosses along with supporting departments like the police force, had curbed the spread of the pandemic for both waves. Of course, they shouldn’t have let their guard down, like the rest of India. It’s a bitter lesson to adopt for the future,” Sir PM reasoned, trying to reduce his friend’s displeasure.

“But there is a positive, too, amidst all these depressing updates,” Sir PM said cheekily. “Like what?” she quizzed, wondering if she had missed an update. “Look, at least the Mithi hasn’t overflown its embankments.” Lady Flora smiled wryly, “Not yet.”

mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana

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