Of Monsoon Boons and Banes

July, the month of showers!

Its been a glorious July! Its has! Last year’s rains didn’t quite get Bombay’s water supplying lakes up to the desired levels. And so the city faced a grave summer. By May 2010 newspapers reported lake levels to be going down further, dangerously lingering at the minimum mark. The BMC announced water cuts of 30-50%, which affected even the affluent of the city who normally aren’t touched by these troubles.

And now with July having brought in water in abundance, as of 1 August 2010, lakes have reached up to 86% of their required levels. People are breathing a sigh of relief. (or are they?)

Unfortunately for many, Malaria and the flu have hit the metropolitan hard. The papers report cases showing symptoms of Malaria have gone up by almost 70% in the last two years.  Hospitals are over run with patients. Every year the city is plagued with the dreaded M. Yet every year, the authorities instead of having improved upon services knowing of what is to come with the monsoons, seem to constantly have a reactionary attitude. Almost like ‘lets wait and see how bad it can get’.

Another instance would be the potholed roads. Take a ride (try the rickshaws for the full effect) through an inner road or even try a stretch on the multi-crore constructed highways and you'll know what a regular commuter experiences everyday.

A few days ago, Bombay’s Guardian Minister, Jayant Patil took three BMC additional municipal commissioners on a bumpy ride on the roads of the city. Newspapers report that he drove the car himself, careful to go over or rather dip through every pothole he could find only to literally, drive his point through. End result; a profusely apologetic trio and an assurance that the problem would be fixed within 10 days. (This was on 29 July, another 6 days to go, or do we already know what’s going to be done?)

Yes we need the monsoons, but with a little foresight and attention to the city’s infrastructure I’m sure we can do without its woes.