A flower seller lost her life sheltering under a tree during the downpour, only to have the tree fall on her.
File pic
Unseasonal and intense rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hailstorms brought Pune city and its adjoining regions close to a standstill. Large parts of the city witnessed severe waterlogging, poor visibility and widespread disruption to daily life on Thursday. Pune witnessed this unusual spell of pre-monsoon-like weather in peak summer, recently, with several areas waterlogged. A flower seller lost her life sheltering under a tree during the downpour, only to have the tree fall on her.
This is a wake-up call for Mumbai, calling for quicker rain readiness, given weather patterns that are now highly unpredictable. If needed, there should be de-clogging of drains and gutters, beginning now. Start repairing roads, especially patches that need urgent attention, so that they do not fall apart in the monsoon, and the tiresome pothole pain saga begins. We need repairs now and filling up of areas.
There are places where metal sheets on roads are creating problems; these are bound to get slick in the rain, proving particularly precarious for two-wheelers. Address the problem now. Ongoing excavation and sites that have been dug up need to be secured well; it is good if strong barricades and signage is ready and in place rather than waiting for the last minute. Announcing systems at our stations need a check for clarity and decibel level.
Remember: the sound of rain may need announcements to be louder and clearer. Brace for the most challenging time of the year, with Pune showing us growing vulnerability to extreme weather events outside the monsoon.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
