The sad saga of the Indian Monsoon

The sad saga of monsoon in India: either too much or too little.

And that’s what is currently happening in Hyderabad. It’s raining cats and dogs since yesterday and if the weather forecast it to be believed, it will probably pour with the same intensity the entire week.

This comes as a welcome change compared to last years’ monsoon which us left high and dry. Monsoon in 2019 was a trickle, while 2020 is a flash flood.

I guess we must be thankful for the Covid Crisis which is forcing us to work from home. I shudder to think how the situation would have been if were to commute to our workplace in this kind of a weather. Imagine wading through all the slush and puddles, not to mention the endless traffic jams and the risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

Even if the Covid crisis wasn’t there, things would still be in a tizzy. It would be highly inconvenient to commute to office in this kind of a weather. Cab availability would be zilch. Cabbies, taking undue advantage of the weather would up the surge rates like crazy. Many people citing the incessant rains as an excuse would get stuck at home and productivity would take a big hit.

I guess something good has come out of this Covid crisis after all. More and more people working from home means improved productivity and lesser pollution. Lesser pollution means improved climatic patterns and more rainfall. More rainfall means more ground water and no water problem (for a few months at least!).

Monsoon is the time when all our busy junctions and roads turn into mini lakes and water reservoirs, thanks to our ancient drainage system which probably hasn’t been revamped since independence. Maybe this would be a good time to correct some wrongs.

And on an ending note, a small prayer of thanks to all the doctors, nurses, support staff, government officials and delivery persons who are braving all vagaries to ensure our safety and well-being.

You are the real heroes! Kudos to you!