It’s not too early to ready oneself for the rainy season

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Mumbaikars are bracing for wet weather, with unseasonal showers throwing the city for a loop. It is time to be alert and cautious as the monsoon season approaches.

After the city received rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and authorities claimed they are doing all they can and are ready to face any situation. Locals need not wait till June to get completely rain-ready.

Vehicles, and brakes especially, need to be in excellent condition. Ensure that windshield wipers are working well. Maintain extremely strict discipline on the roads. This applies not only during the two days of predicted rain, but throughout this season, which tends to be challenging for the pedestrian and motorist alike.

The train commuter, likewise, will be tested during these months. The Railways needs to repair any leaky roofs on platforms, pronto. This edit space has often highlighted reports about leaking platform roofs and the scramble to fix them once the monsoon season begins. Leaking roofs cause commuters to accumulate at certain spaces in a bid to avoid the water as the train arrives. This results in huge crowds in an already packed space, leading to a dangerous situation. Stations must be primed and ready for the monsoon.

The people, too, have a duty to be absolutely disciplined. Pushing and shoving on a platform is always dangerous but even more foolhardy when surfaces are slick and wet. Holding on to the bars of the train and hanging out from the footboard is once again, always precarious but the danger is compounded during the rains. There are so many factors about preparation for the season, and one thing is evident that the monsoon, whether showers are sporadic or consistent, is already here. Well prepared is already half done and won.