Chennai Floods - My experience
30th november - evening rain
We were all hoping that 2015 will record the highest rainfall in more than a century. We were hoping that it would rain another 60mm on 30th nov. Not fading our hope, it has started raining on 30th nov evening. It was a mild and yet another mansoon rain, and was a shorter one. Went to the bed with disappointment of not breaking the record rainfall in chennai, without knowing a lfe time experience awaiting to follow.
01st December - A day filled with rain/rain and rain
Planned for a 10k run on 1st Dec morning, hoping for some practice ahead of scheduled "the wipro chennai marathon", as usual last minute practice/preparation (missed my oct and nov targets due to rain). Wanted to go for early run and planned to reach office before 9 am for the video conference. Even before the alarm went off next day morning, heard the oozing sounds of shower and heavy winds. Did not even bother to check the alarm and went for an extra hour of sleep cuddling in the bed. I woke up to the good news that rain has started in early morning. "The Hindu" mentioned that we missed the record rain fall by a whisker, but heavy rain predicted for the day. Had a light breakfast (when do you ever get to have a good full breakfast on a working day morning) and started to office.
It was a typical rainy mansoon day on the road, with ever lovely rain, new born pot holes, adventurous bike riders, long traffic at toll gate (with so many potholes, I always wonder what am I paying for in the toll gates and that is another story altogether). Windshield was rhythmic, soothing songs at FM, lesser traffic (I thought it was because i started early, which is a sort of record by itself), overall it was a nice drive to the office. Noticed lot of buses operated by corporates were still making their way and I thought it was normal. I was the first one to reach office and ensured all the lights were switched on and got in to the room and had a good one and half hour meeting. By the time, I came out of meeting with a set of action items assigned against me (not a smart leader, is it not?), office was still near empty. Each row in our wing is occupied by only one or two persons. Walked around the window and found it was still raining, a bit heavier now. So, it was not that I was early so I had easy traffic, most of the poeple decided to stay home (they have probably watched the TV or read about the forecase for the day).
Now phones were getting constant smses about people working from (for) home, due to rain or not able to commute to office or work due to rain/powercut, etc. Seen lot of online chat messages also on team members working from home. Checked with management team on whether there is any specific info on forecast for the day and instructions for employee. Nothing was there. So, started enjoying my day at work with only handful number of people in office. Told the two girls in the team to get back to home early. So brave they were, they wanted to return home in office bus only. Had few calls, did some work and never stopped walking towards window now and then to watch the rain. It was fantastic to see the rain from the office window, with the green ground background, and nicely drawn up parking of IT building, you just feel that only the blessed one can see such rain. Rains do reflect your mood, you can see them dancing, laughing, singing, crying, you name it they do it.
Due to light breakfast, became hungry very fast. Had lunch early and it was still raining. Attu and Manju gave me orders to start from office at 6 and reach home by 7. Fair ask is it not?, since I reached office early. I wanted to wrap up early too. What would I do in an office, when all of my one-downs are working from home. I could start to see the rain getting much heavier now. It is no longer melody songs, it is fierce. Got a call that we have an urgent executive committee and joined it. Got info that the forecast is heavy rain and Decided that the company bus will leave at 3 pm, instead of 6 pm and I will hold the fort until 5/6 pm, in case of biz calls. Team working on RCWB wanted to continue as UAT was going on. Started checking nearby hotels and luckily we could not get any hotels, they were all full (You will know, why I said lucky later on). Asked the team in singapore to take care and said the chennai folks to go home at any cost by 3 pm. I realised, when you change something which is routine and well planned, it gives you new twists/turns and leads to chaos. How well developed a country or industry it does not matter. Just 5 days back, my Beijing flight got diverted to HK airport due to snow fall, I ended up staying in HK airport closed to a day, sleeping in airport lobby seats, drinking soy milk (vegetarian has different meanings in different places of the world and the one we have in India seems to be more stricter, hence if you are not well prepared, you atleast be prepared to live with hunger). Drawing parallelism here, our company bus started around 3.45 pm.
After every one is gone and after finishing few more calls, decided to call Jeremy to check how he is doing. He was safe and sound, though water level was increasing at his place. Called up Siva, his phone was not reachable. Called up Sridhar, he asked me to leave early as rain was playing havoc in his area. Manju and Attu called me this time and asked me to leave at 5 pm and reach home at 6 pm. For once, I wanted to give them a surprise. Started around 4:30 pm.
As I came out of the car park, all I could hear was the sound of rain lashing my car, I could not hear even FM. Immediately turned on wiper to full speed. Did not help. Had to slow down the car even to get a bit of visibility. Could not even see what is ahead of 10 feets. Started driving slowly, enjoying the rain. Every one in the street was running for cover. there was hardly any traffic. Whole of OMR was flooded. Some places the flood water was as high as median. Could see water as high as to my window height. At 4:30 pm, it was dark. There was no light. I could see only buses and occassional SUVs. Only Honda city in the road was mine. I thought I may end up pushing the car out of flood, if it stops. I kept stepping on the oscilator, kept two 2nd gear for almost a KM. Once I reached thoraipakkam, I was a bit relieved. Reached home around 5:30 pm. By that time, it was dark, and the road leading to my house from velachery-tambaram road, was flooded in the entrance of the road with water at car window again. This time, was not worried, as nearing the house.
By the time, I reached the house, I could realise how big the downpour was. I can see water logging in neighbouring streets (looking from my house balcony). Took some snaps of rain, posted to friends in whatsapp. Power went down around 10 pm. Heard huge traffic jams in chennai. Spoken to friends just to ensure they have reached home and wanted to find out anyone had any needs. Jeremy confirmed that everyone in the team has reached home, except one person, who was on his way. It was raining, raining, raining the whole night, sounds of rain and wind, constantly heard. Kept waking up for every hour to watch the rain and went to sleep. Told manju that this is how it rains in chennai, during mansoon. No problems in the night, though it was continuously raining as Diesel Genset was running.
You can see the furious rain. it is taken around 5:30 pm.
Started the whatsapp group for keeping in touch with team members (some how, I felt that it would take time to recover and team might need constant updates). Made few of the people as admin and how it helped our team in subseuquent days were amazing.
02nd December - Signs of Disaster
Manju woke me up around 6 and asked me to come and look at paramount pearls (apartment behind our apartment). Woke up to the rain's music again and first thing i saw was vgp selva nagar mainroad with flood. I could see the park is flooded with hip level water. Immediately finished morning rituals and went to corridor window to see paramount pearls. It was flooded to chest height water. Bikes parked in the apartment, could see only the reverview mirror. Cars, could see the the windows. Could see lot of people in paramount pearls standing at their terrace. Went down to ground floor and walked down to our gate. First time, seeing the road leading to our aparment is all flooded at hip level. Water was at our ramp level in the gate entrance.
Cars at paramount pearls
Went back to watch news. There are news of heavy rain (49 cm in chembarambakkam and Tambaram) and chaotic situation in Tamabram and GST. Called up siva to find his status, he said he is ok, but there is heavy rain. He told me that Arun GK is struck in GST road from mid night and not able to go back home. Called up Boss to update that I can not come to office due to rain and wanted to say I would work from home. Could not hear the phone ring going. Switched on internet, red signal laughed at me. Sensing that I would not be able to do much, decided to walk to entrance again to see whether i can get to main road. Now more fellow flat owners have come. When we went to entrance, could see people from adjacent and opposite houses standing at the first floor watching the water entering ground floor helplessly.
Watched the news again, it was chaotic scenes in Tambaram again. It was mentioned that 35000 cusec (3.5 TMC) water released from chembarambakkam lake to Adyar river and it was flooding in saidapet bridge and heavy rain predicted for another 2 days. Now, it is evident that, we need to surive next two to three days, with out going out of apartments. Got few of the people in apartment and we discussed. it was decided that we need to use diesel optimally and we would use only for 8 hour a day. I had put up a time table in the notice board (though it was overridden immediately by our securities :) ).
It was raining still. We can see few people walking at chest height water in the road leading to our apartment and moving to vgp selva nagar main road. How the situation at interior of selva nagar and with what hopes these people were going, we were not sure. Power switched off now. We had more and more people from apartment joining us in the ground floor. We went to the park at the right of our apartment. We have a 7 feet wall separating our apartment and park with a small entrance of 3 feets. other side of the park has a wired fencing which is shared with paramount pearls (our park was almost 4 feet higher than paramount ). We can see water entering the park. and water level in paramount pearls was raining because the water level in DAV school was raising.
water from our apartment entrance to velachery-tambaram main road
In Tamilnadu, looking at one channel, you would never get complete news. You need to see two or three channels and then you can make out that truth is some where in middle of the two. So, after watching few channels and tamashas, decided to switch off the TV.
We have started to realise that the situation is bad. it is not normal rainwater clogging at the road. Seems to be severe and the water level kept increasing. We decided to prepare some sand bags. Took as much as sand available in the park. Securities did not go home previous night, so we had 5 of them. Plenty of empty rice bags provided by Doctor, which we used to fill up the sand. We had raised the height of the 3 feet entrance, so that water from park would not enter the apartment for another 4 feets.
We wanted to try the sand bag at the main entrance and realised our efforts went futile as we needed tons of sand bags to stop any water coming in from main entrance. Now water has raised in main entrance and crossed our gate. it has come in about 2 to 3 feets in our ramp. We decided to go and buy whatever is available in the near by shop and stock up. we told every one in apartment to bring the provision list. we had a big wish list. And it was detailed (ashirvad atta 1kg packet - 2, MTR bisibelabath mix 500mg - 1, who on earth can go and find what brand of bisibelabath in that day). we asked our neighbours as well as Paramount pearls. Neighobours asked for bread/milk where in paramount residents were pretty comfortable (atleast that is how we saw them)
Our first adventure in water started, with myself, lawyer siddharth, Hari and Karuna with Senthil going to Bala super market. it was chest deep water (it was clean at that time). we can see quite a few people in the road taking photos of us from their terrace or from first floor. Milk and bread were short of supply. Purchased, whatever were available, put them in a bag and kept in head. Water was flowing at that time, hence, except the fact that it was chest deep, we did not have much trouble. People were talking photos with out knowing it would become a common scene in the coming days.
Went home, distributed provisons, had a good bath, lunch.
Now the news showing were disheartening. can realise the devastation. looks like no one has any clue on what is happening and how to come out of the situation. there is pin drop silence from the government, no announcement yet. To add to the woes, two more days of rains predicted. Not able to call any one. None of the phones in apartment working. Rain started from afternoon. water level is raising, it has crossed the small sand bags we had in entrance. Everyone in apartment have started panicking. what if the rain continues? will it enter apartment, will the cars be submerged (by this time, cars in paramount are fully submerged, cars parked in the roads are submerged, cars parked in the ground floors of neigbouring apartments were submerged, some smart people parked car in the Park in VGP selva nagar main road and they are also submerged). All questions and no answers. Now we realised how fortunate we are as we have the luxury of walking in our apartment, we have power (though limited) and we have clean houses. All our surroundings are flooded, most of the houses have water inside, no power, it is pitch dark outside.
You can see the park submerged...actually there are two parks separated by road
House neighbouring our apartment has water in ground floor fully and the resident was worried (rightly so). They wanted to go to nungambakkam, but not able to come out. They were in first floor, which almost reaches to our apartment's wall. Senthil (our security) jumped over our wall to their apartment and we were standing on the wall. we put in the door (from neighbouring construction work) as the bridge between first floor and our wall and the family managed to come to our apartment. They stayed for the night in our community hall.
Rain became intermittent. Gave us some hope. But, water level kept increasing. We saw the ferocious adyar river in jafferkhanpet in the news. knowing bit of geography chennai (my vehicle less days in 94-95 in chennai helped me to understand chennai better), I am aware that sembarambakkam lake would not impact velachery, but was sure velachery canals can take the load either. Now, there is a news of airport closure and some angry person was shouting at the airport officials (with out knowing how fortunate he is, he has a shleter and atleast there is some one who can understand his language. I was left in lurch in HK airport as my english was not good enough for many of the people to understand and even in that developed country, they could not handle sudden surge of 1000 people)
Summing it up, it was a day of holding fort and preparing ourselves for the worst. We have started taking turns to arrange food/drinks for securities. Instructed security to wake me up, in case if the water started coming in to apartment (though we can not do anything, atleast we thought we can watch our cars submerging). Went to bed with uncertainities. Only hope was rain stopping
03rd December - Time for some adventure
Woke up to the good news that the rain has reduced to more of drizzling and occassional normal rain. Water level did not increase, but at the same time it has not reduced. News came in that heavy rain has stopped and forecast for next two days is occassional rain only. Now, we are pretty sure that our fort is saved from the flood breach.
At around 7 am, people have started gathering. We had two challenges in front of us. How do we manage our diesel and how long we need to sustain with the food stock we have. Prashant helped us on the first problem by offering us Diesel from Mall. It was a great relief for us.
Our apartment is only about 50 meters from the mainroad. But, there are thousands of houses behind our apartment (VGP Selva nagar, bhuvaneswari nagar, etc) and it leads to velachery MRTS track and to perungudi station. Most of those people might have thought they can come out once rain stopped. But, now the water is at neck deep and we can not even see the walls of parks and small medians. Water has turned block color with all sort of garbages floating around. We saw one boat in the morning. After that, nothing had come. We were clueless on why there are not enough boats. Since, we saw the news, we thought it is due to all relief work is redirected to adyar river beds. Later came to know that it was that bad there also.
We decided that there is no point in waiting for relief as there is no communication from officials or from police. We wanted to help the people around. We can buy things for them. but with no electricity and drinking water running out, we thought most people would have wanted to get out of their house. We saw people moving out with heavy luggages or kids in their head, walking in neck deep water.
Murali came up with the idea of building a small catamaran to go and fetch people, since boat was scarce. Idea was not welcomed by many. But, we thought we can give a try. We tried to use bamboo sticks which we were using for showcase in entrance of our apartment. Realising what we would go through if we fail in mission, we decided to look for alternative. Remembering the construction work near by, we jumped over the wall and brought some chavukku tree. Kids have become enthusiastic with some fun in the offering, and brought the required nylon ropes. To make it to sustain weight, we wanted to use some tyres. But, no tyres or tubes were available. Tried the spare wheels we had in our four wheelers, but they were drowning due to the heavy disc.
Attu came up with the idea of using empter water cans. Next challenge was on how to seal the mouth of water can. We had some strong plastic covers to seal them. Though it can float and can sustain weight, it was not suffficient. Senthil brought a big thermocol sheet. we put them in between the water cans and a plastic sheet on top of the catamaran. Now the raft is ready. We tested with one person sitting on it. it could sustain.
Test Done with Murali.
By the time, we have made the raft ready, it was almost 11. Still no sights of boats. We decided to get in to action. Plan is to get to the interior streets, whoever wanted to get out, help them to get out with luggages and kids in the raft, with the adults joining us in water by holding raft. Murali, Karuna and myself decided to go out with the raft. Once we got in to the water, we can feel the filthy smell all around, water colour was black and we can see diesel leakage of the boats. We had to navigate slowly, because the water was chest or some places neck deep. Murali and Karuna had problems in slippers as well. So, the walking was very slow. We had our first customer for the raft, who was buying some items from the 100 feet road to their home in VGP selva nagar. He got hold of raft and left his things on top of it. Few more have joined. One woman joined as well, though she was not sure where she wants to go. She said somewhere in the end of the road (1 km away), but not sure exactly where. As we moved, lot of people watching from the balconies, utilities have started inquiring about situation outside. They had no clue on what is happening as there is no elecricity, hence no TV, no internet, no mobile connection. So, they did not even know the level of destruction.
More inquiries were on the relief/boats coming, whether buses/trains running, are we supplying milk packets (we ourselves did not have milk on that day), can we buy them some biscuit packs, will there be further rain, etc. Was happy to have conversations as it is long time since, we talked to strangers. Any doubts you have, now a days we google it and forgot to clarify with people nearby. There was family three streets away called us for help from their terrace. We said, we will drop these people and come there. As we walked through the water, we met more than handful of people all trying to go out mostly. Some of the north east people youngsters were more happy to run around in the water, despite the uncleanliness of the water. We saw the yazh super market's empty water cans floating in the flood. There was a dog stranded in the wall of park and there was no one to help. Murali wanted to help it out. We decided to take care of it on our return.
As we reached the end of the road, a youngster asked for help, with his elderly parents. Now that we have walked over a KM, and raft is pretty solid, we wanted to test its capability. Instead of only his father both his father and mother got on top of the raft with some things in bag. Raft sustained. We began our return journey. We can see the sun for first time in 4 days, which made our return journey with more hopes. The whole story of floods is hopes and despair alternated frequently. While we were waiting for their parents to climb on the raft, some one from top floor asked us to wait in main road, instead of inside the apartment. Reason they said is there were lot of snakes floating. This made us a bit nervous. Both myself and Murali were in shorts and exposed our legs to any insects wanting to have a bite.
Both elders onboarded and we were on our return journey to main road. Now the balance of the raft was tested though it could sustain the weight. When the water is at high level, it is easy to move the raft, but when it enters lower level, we had to carry the raft, which has made it very heavy. Each time something rolled on to our leg (either plastic cover or some paper), we got a bit worried. We could see a dead rat floating in the water. Murali has started using one of the pole to clear the garbage in front of the raft, so as to ensure a harmless journey. We have reached our apartment and crossed over to the main road. People from the 3rd street who asked for our help is no longer there. We could see more boats bailing out people now. It is almost 2 hours since we started and we have crossed about 2 kms+. Realised how difficult it is to travel in that water. Though boats seemed a better option, they had problems navigating through small roads and they are also not sure about the road directions. Finally the water was getting bad and bad. What kind of disease you would get in to is not known.
Raft with elderly couple
We dropped them in the mainroad near Adyar Anandha Bhavan. From there we could see the water is at only ankle level or less than knee level near the median. Quite a few people were walking between velachery railway station and viayanager bus stand, all near the median. Could not see any vehiciles, but there were plenty of boats, plying people.
The young man offered us money and we had to deny it. I realised few things, not all boat rides are service oriented, people do make money out of it. looking at us walking in neck deep, many might have thought we may charge them and they wanted to wait for better boat service, rather than raft service. Some decided to stay at home seeing sun coming out.
The young man wanted us to go and fetch his sister in law and new born baby. They were at vgp selva nagar cross street. We went with our raft again. Few people again joined us to carry their things to their home. Just before reaching to their home, we saw a snake (about 5 to 6 feets long) in front of us swimming across the road in 10 meters distance. Chill ran through my spine. We got the mother and two kids (one about 5 years and another one is new born) on top of the raft. This time we took different route, by going through sarathi nagar, PIND to Vijayanagar bus stand. The kid was very happy to go in a raft. we, the adults seem to be losing the fun in small things with the day to day worries.
By now, it is more than 2:30 pm and we were hungry. At vijayanagar the roads were dry and it was a pretty contrast picture to where we are 500 meters away. We could not see any buses. But, plenty of vehicles (temp van, etc) plying people to different parts there. Raft is pretty heavy now as we had to carry it fully. Few youngsters helped to carry it past vijayanagar signal. Once we crossed the signal towards pallikaranai, it is again flooded, hence we could drag the raft. We reached apartment. Manju had prepared dettol water for me to take a dip and once I had become purified allowed to enter the hall. Had a good lunch. Now, we could see more and more boats coming in. Water was receeding now. Took manju and Attu to main road through mall. Water in the main road (velachery-tambaram) was still at hip level in front of Grand mall.
Situation is better, but more and more horrific scenes were being shown in TV news. I was pretty sure the loss is much bigger than what is being reported as no one had any clue on the calamity which has happened. Even now, there is absolutely no NDRF, no police, no officials. it is two days after the disaster and three days with out electricity and there is no word of restoration.
Water in the road is still at hip level and did not want to drive out and get struck in the road. We would be the least important one to attend, as the disaster seemed pretty worst.
04th December - Going out for shopping
Woke up at 6 am again. It has become pretty standard to get up in the morning with out alarms. No tiredness or oversleeping. What did I do differently from other days. Rather I should ask what I did not do. I did not touch laptop, did not touch mobile, did not starve, did not have junk food, did not watch TV endlessly.
Past 3 days, we go to terrace in the morning first thing to get some network and make call. If we try 100 times, we get through once. Unfortunately the other party does not pick the call that time.
Myself and Manju went to grand mall entrance again (through car park - so you do not have to walk through water). Now water at grand mall entrance is at thigh level. We decided to go out. Road was pretty busy. NDRF team was waiting there. They were seen unpacking the rubber raft, etc. We walked through the water (it was knee deep). Quite a few bikes were seen riding along medians. Now the scenario is pretty clear, water is coming from Ram nagar to main road and then reaching vgp selva nagar. After reaching vgp selva nagar, it has nowhere to go and getting stagnant there.
we walked all the way to pazhamuthir nilayam in 100 feet road. Though the flood has completely receeded, it was all garbage in 100 feet road. It was like a riot has happened a while ago with things all around. Bought vegetables for our needs. Milk was not available anywhere. Mobile worked for few minutes. Called up home in kovilpatti and spoke to every one. Every body was worried, so had a quick call to assure them that we are safe.
Came back via velachery main road, which was also pretty good and drained. 3G worked and could see so many messages inquiring about our safety. In my team's group, people have been trying to reach out to others to find and inform regularly on updates. Some were (un)fortunate to have internet access all the day along. Now, we see people venting anger in EB office. water was being pumped out from the EB office. Was pretty sure that the electricity will not be restored until sunday.
After coming back home, went back with Atulya to give him some experience on the water again. By now, water level is receeding fast. We can see NDRF in action with boats. Though it was funny (and more of joke) to have boats in knee deep water, I can see lot of people coming out now in boats. Probably they have been waiting for official relief force to come in and rescue them. We could see Dr. Tamilisai coming in boat with steth in her shoulder to rescue people. Most of paramount people have come out now.
Water was receeding fast. We have encouragements to go out and get some diesel for DG. We lost our reputation to the mall guard as he wanted diesel. Gaurav used his influence to go out and get some diesel from Adyar. Now, we have enough diesel. We had put up revised timing for Genset usage (every day we revise timing :) ).
Ladies in the apartment arranged for a get to gether in community hall with pot luck dinner. For last 30 months we never had such gathering and all our association meetings are attended for little more than a handful of people. On a flood hit day, with people nothing to do and locked up in houses, it was a nice thing for every one and almost all the families had joined for get to gether. It was a nice dinner. I could feel the warmth in community being build in midst of the disaster.
It was absolute peace, with no noise of TV, phones, mobiles, calling bells. It was only people voices we could hear.
05th December - Driving around the city.
First thing, we did on Saturday morning is to take the vehicle out. Water is at the ankle level in our road, except in a patch, where it was at knee level. Went around the city. Could see the disaster very clearly. Now, it is about how to reach out to bigger community and to more needy people.
We had a gathering in the community hall again in the night, where we wanted to get in to relief work. I will write more on that later.
I kept telling Atulya to experience each and every bit of the day during the 1 week of flood. I am a firm believer of kannadasan's poem on experience.
By that yardstick, I felt closer to god for that week.
To sum it up :-
I definitely learnt quite a few things, some key ones are
1. When disaster strikes, it really strikes. Whatever you have planned does not work. So, it is not just planning, but also your ability to get back after disaster matters.
2. The more communicative medium we had the less we communicated. In that one week, I felt I had real good conversations.
3. Extraordinary situation does not require extraordinary deeds or peoples. It just need ordinary people to do ordinary things with courage.
4. Courage and selflessness go hand in hand and they are very contagious.
5. When people got rid of daily worries, they are more creative and confident
6. Best holiday you get is with out any digital devices. It is even better if no communcative networks as well. Government should consider banning those for one day in a month.
7. we are the most tolerant and resilient society and also we are the most forgiving society (you will know this meaning after the election)
8. You may know your neighbours but you start to hate or like them only after you interact them multiple times and that is important.
9. Inspite of so many advanced information systems, vital information are not reaching the right people at right time
10. Seeing Pain makes you emphathatic. Having pain makes you think of solution.
11. Government officials knowledge is not as good as many of the people living in neighbourhood.
12. A government which is not empowered can not govern effectively
30th november - evening rain
We were all hoping that 2015 will record the highest rainfall in more than a century. We were hoping that it would rain another 60mm on 30th nov. Not fading our hope, it has started raining on 30th nov evening. It was a mild and yet another mansoon rain, and was a shorter one. Went to the bed with disappointment of not breaking the record rainfall in chennai, without knowing a lfe time experience awaiting to follow.
01st December - A day filled with rain/rain and rain
Planned for a 10k run on 1st Dec morning, hoping for some practice ahead of scheduled "the wipro chennai marathon", as usual last minute practice/preparation (missed my oct and nov targets due to rain). Wanted to go for early run and planned to reach office before 9 am for the video conference. Even before the alarm went off next day morning, heard the oozing sounds of shower and heavy winds. Did not even bother to check the alarm and went for an extra hour of sleep cuddling in the bed. I woke up to the good news that rain has started in early morning. "The Hindu" mentioned that we missed the record rain fall by a whisker, but heavy rain predicted for the day. Had a light breakfast (when do you ever get to have a good full breakfast on a working day morning) and started to office.
It was a typical rainy mansoon day on the road, with ever lovely rain, new born pot holes, adventurous bike riders, long traffic at toll gate (with so many potholes, I always wonder what am I paying for in the toll gates and that is another story altogether). Windshield was rhythmic, soothing songs at FM, lesser traffic (I thought it was because i started early, which is a sort of record by itself), overall it was a nice drive to the office. Noticed lot of buses operated by corporates were still making their way and I thought it was normal. I was the first one to reach office and ensured all the lights were switched on and got in to the room and had a good one and half hour meeting. By the time, I came out of meeting with a set of action items assigned against me (not a smart leader, is it not?), office was still near empty. Each row in our wing is occupied by only one or two persons. Walked around the window and found it was still raining, a bit heavier now. So, it was not that I was early so I had easy traffic, most of the poeple decided to stay home (they have probably watched the TV or read about the forecase for the day).
Now phones were getting constant smses about people working from (for) home, due to rain or not able to commute to office or work due to rain/powercut, etc. Seen lot of online chat messages also on team members working from home. Checked with management team on whether there is any specific info on forecast for the day and instructions for employee. Nothing was there. So, started enjoying my day at work with only handful number of people in office. Told the two girls in the team to get back to home early. So brave they were, they wanted to return home in office bus only. Had few calls, did some work and never stopped walking towards window now and then to watch the rain. It was fantastic to see the rain from the office window, with the green ground background, and nicely drawn up parking of IT building, you just feel that only the blessed one can see such rain. Rains do reflect your mood, you can see them dancing, laughing, singing, crying, you name it they do it.
Due to light breakfast, became hungry very fast. Had lunch early and it was still raining. Attu and Manju gave me orders to start from office at 6 and reach home by 7. Fair ask is it not?, since I reached office early. I wanted to wrap up early too. What would I do in an office, when all of my one-downs are working from home. I could start to see the rain getting much heavier now. It is no longer melody songs, it is fierce. Got a call that we have an urgent executive committee and joined it. Got info that the forecast is heavy rain and Decided that the company bus will leave at 3 pm, instead of 6 pm and I will hold the fort until 5/6 pm, in case of biz calls. Team working on RCWB wanted to continue as UAT was going on. Started checking nearby hotels and luckily we could not get any hotels, they were all full (You will know, why I said lucky later on). Asked the team in singapore to take care and said the chennai folks to go home at any cost by 3 pm. I realised, when you change something which is routine and well planned, it gives you new twists/turns and leads to chaos. How well developed a country or industry it does not matter. Just 5 days back, my Beijing flight got diverted to HK airport due to snow fall, I ended up staying in HK airport closed to a day, sleeping in airport lobby seats, drinking soy milk (vegetarian has different meanings in different places of the world and the one we have in India seems to be more stricter, hence if you are not well prepared, you atleast be prepared to live with hunger). Drawing parallelism here, our company bus started around 3.45 pm.
After every one is gone and after finishing few more calls, decided to call Jeremy to check how he is doing. He was safe and sound, though water level was increasing at his place. Called up Siva, his phone was not reachable. Called up Sridhar, he asked me to leave early as rain was playing havoc in his area. Manju and Attu called me this time and asked me to leave at 5 pm and reach home at 6 pm. For once, I wanted to give them a surprise. Started around 4:30 pm.
As I came out of the car park, all I could hear was the sound of rain lashing my car, I could not hear even FM. Immediately turned on wiper to full speed. Did not help. Had to slow down the car even to get a bit of visibility. Could not even see what is ahead of 10 feets. Started driving slowly, enjoying the rain. Every one in the street was running for cover. there was hardly any traffic. Whole of OMR was flooded. Some places the flood water was as high as median. Could see water as high as to my window height. At 4:30 pm, it was dark. There was no light. I could see only buses and occassional SUVs. Only Honda city in the road was mine. I thought I may end up pushing the car out of flood, if it stops. I kept stepping on the oscilator, kept two 2nd gear for almost a KM. Once I reached thoraipakkam, I was a bit relieved. Reached home around 5:30 pm. By that time, it was dark, and the road leading to my house from velachery-tambaram road, was flooded in the entrance of the road with water at car window again. This time, was not worried, as nearing the house.
By the time, I reached the house, I could realise how big the downpour was. I can see water logging in neighbouring streets (looking from my house balcony). Took some snaps of rain, posted to friends in whatsapp. Power went down around 10 pm. Heard huge traffic jams in chennai. Spoken to friends just to ensure they have reached home and wanted to find out anyone had any needs. Jeremy confirmed that everyone in the team has reached home, except one person, who was on his way. It was raining, raining, raining the whole night, sounds of rain and wind, constantly heard. Kept waking up for every hour to watch the rain and went to sleep. Told manju that this is how it rains in chennai, during mansoon. No problems in the night, though it was continuously raining as Diesel Genset was running.
You can see the furious rain. it is taken around 5:30 pm.
Started the whatsapp group for keeping in touch with team members (some how, I felt that it would take time to recover and team might need constant updates). Made few of the people as admin and how it helped our team in subseuquent days were amazing.
02nd December - Signs of Disaster
Manju woke me up around 6 and asked me to come and look at paramount pearls (apartment behind our apartment). Woke up to the rain's music again and first thing i saw was vgp selva nagar mainroad with flood. I could see the park is flooded with hip level water. Immediately finished morning rituals and went to corridor window to see paramount pearls. It was flooded to chest height water. Bikes parked in the apartment, could see only the reverview mirror. Cars, could see the the windows. Could see lot of people in paramount pearls standing at their terrace. Went down to ground floor and walked down to our gate. First time, seeing the road leading to our aparment is all flooded at hip level. Water was at our ramp level in the gate entrance.
Went back to watch news. There are news of heavy rain (49 cm in chembarambakkam and Tambaram) and chaotic situation in Tamabram and GST. Called up siva to find his status, he said he is ok, but there is heavy rain. He told me that Arun GK is struck in GST road from mid night and not able to go back home. Called up Boss to update that I can not come to office due to rain and wanted to say I would work from home. Could not hear the phone ring going. Switched on internet, red signal laughed at me. Sensing that I would not be able to do much, decided to walk to entrance again to see whether i can get to main road. Now more fellow flat owners have come. When we went to entrance, could see people from adjacent and opposite houses standing at the first floor watching the water entering ground floor helplessly.
Watched the news again, it was chaotic scenes in Tambaram again. It was mentioned that 35000 cusec (3.5 TMC) water released from chembarambakkam lake to Adyar river and it was flooding in saidapet bridge and heavy rain predicted for another 2 days. Now, it is evident that, we need to surive next two to three days, with out going out of apartments. Got few of the people in apartment and we discussed. it was decided that we need to use diesel optimally and we would use only for 8 hour a day. I had put up a time table in the notice board (though it was overridden immediately by our securities :) ).
It was raining still. We can see few people walking at chest height water in the road leading to our apartment and moving to vgp selva nagar main road. How the situation at interior of selva nagar and with what hopes these people were going, we were not sure. Power switched off now. We had more and more people from apartment joining us in the ground floor. We went to the park at the right of our apartment. We have a 7 feet wall separating our apartment and park with a small entrance of 3 feets. other side of the park has a wired fencing which is shared with paramount pearls (our park was almost 4 feet higher than paramount ). We can see water entering the park. and water level in paramount pearls was raining because the water level in DAV school was raising.
In Tamilnadu, looking at one channel, you would never get complete news. You need to see two or three channels and then you can make out that truth is some where in middle of the two. So, after watching few channels and tamashas, decided to switch off the TV.
We have started to realise that the situation is bad. it is not normal rainwater clogging at the road. Seems to be severe and the water level kept increasing. We decided to prepare some sand bags. Took as much as sand available in the park. Securities did not go home previous night, so we had 5 of them. Plenty of empty rice bags provided by Doctor, which we used to fill up the sand. We had raised the height of the 3 feet entrance, so that water from park would not enter the apartment for another 4 feets.
We wanted to try the sand bag at the main entrance and realised our efforts went futile as we needed tons of sand bags to stop any water coming in from main entrance. Now water has raised in main entrance and crossed our gate. it has come in about 2 to 3 feets in our ramp. We decided to go and buy whatever is available in the near by shop and stock up. we told every one in apartment to bring the provision list. we had a big wish list. And it was detailed (ashirvad atta 1kg packet - 2, MTR bisibelabath mix 500mg - 1, who on earth can go and find what brand of bisibelabath in that day). we asked our neighbours as well as Paramount pearls. Neighobours asked for bread/milk where in paramount residents were pretty comfortable (atleast that is how we saw them)
Our first adventure in water started, with myself, lawyer siddharth, Hari and Karuna with Senthil going to Bala super market. it was chest deep water (it was clean at that time). we can see quite a few people in the road taking photos of us from their terrace or from first floor. Milk and bread were short of supply. Purchased, whatever were available, put them in a bag and kept in head. Water was flowing at that time, hence, except the fact that it was chest deep, we did not have much trouble. People were talking photos with out knowing it would become a common scene in the coming days.
Went home, distributed provisons, had a good bath, lunch.
Now the news showing were disheartening. can realise the devastation. looks like no one has any clue on what is happening and how to come out of the situation. there is pin drop silence from the government, no announcement yet. To add to the woes, two more days of rains predicted. Not able to call any one. None of the phones in apartment working. Rain started from afternoon. water level is raising, it has crossed the small sand bags we had in entrance. Everyone in apartment have started panicking. what if the rain continues? will it enter apartment, will the cars be submerged (by this time, cars in paramount are fully submerged, cars parked in the roads are submerged, cars parked in the ground floors of neigbouring apartments were submerged, some smart people parked car in the Park in VGP selva nagar main road and they are also submerged). All questions and no answers. Now we realised how fortunate we are as we have the luxury of walking in our apartment, we have power (though limited) and we have clean houses. All our surroundings are flooded, most of the houses have water inside, no power, it is pitch dark outside.
House neighbouring our apartment has water in ground floor fully and the resident was worried (rightly so). They wanted to go to nungambakkam, but not able to come out. They were in first floor, which almost reaches to our apartment's wall. Senthil (our security) jumped over our wall to their apartment and we were standing on the wall. we put in the door (from neighbouring construction work) as the bridge between first floor and our wall and the family managed to come to our apartment. They stayed for the night in our community hall.
Rain became intermittent. Gave us some hope. But, water level kept increasing. We saw the ferocious adyar river in jafferkhanpet in the news. knowing bit of geography chennai (my vehicle less days in 94-95 in chennai helped me to understand chennai better), I am aware that sembarambakkam lake would not impact velachery, but was sure velachery canals can take the load either. Now, there is a news of airport closure and some angry person was shouting at the airport officials (with out knowing how fortunate he is, he has a shleter and atleast there is some one who can understand his language. I was left in lurch in HK airport as my english was not good enough for many of the people to understand and even in that developed country, they could not handle sudden surge of 1000 people)
Summing it up, it was a day of holding fort and preparing ourselves for the worst. We have started taking turns to arrange food/drinks for securities. Instructed security to wake me up, in case if the water started coming in to apartment (though we can not do anything, atleast we thought we can watch our cars submerging). Went to bed with uncertainities. Only hope was rain stopping
03rd December - Time for some adventure
Woke up to the good news that the rain has reduced to more of drizzling and occassional normal rain. Water level did not increase, but at the same time it has not reduced. News came in that heavy rain has stopped and forecast for next two days is occassional rain only. Now, we are pretty sure that our fort is saved from the flood breach.
At around 7 am, people have started gathering. We had two challenges in front of us. How do we manage our diesel and how long we need to sustain with the food stock we have. Prashant helped us on the first problem by offering us Diesel from Mall. It was a great relief for us.
Our apartment is only about 50 meters from the mainroad. But, there are thousands of houses behind our apartment (VGP Selva nagar, bhuvaneswari nagar, etc) and it leads to velachery MRTS track and to perungudi station. Most of those people might have thought they can come out once rain stopped. But, now the water is at neck deep and we can not even see the walls of parks and small medians. Water has turned block color with all sort of garbages floating around. We saw one boat in the morning. After that, nothing had come. We were clueless on why there are not enough boats. Since, we saw the news, we thought it is due to all relief work is redirected to adyar river beds. Later came to know that it was that bad there also.
We decided that there is no point in waiting for relief as there is no communication from officials or from police. We wanted to help the people around. We can buy things for them. but with no electricity and drinking water running out, we thought most people would have wanted to get out of their house. We saw people moving out with heavy luggages or kids in their head, walking in neck deep water.
Murali came up with the idea of building a small catamaran to go and fetch people, since boat was scarce. Idea was not welcomed by many. But, we thought we can give a try. We tried to use bamboo sticks which we were using for showcase in entrance of our apartment. Realising what we would go through if we fail in mission, we decided to look for alternative. Remembering the construction work near by, we jumped over the wall and brought some chavukku tree. Kids have become enthusiastic with some fun in the offering, and brought the required nylon ropes. To make it to sustain weight, we wanted to use some tyres. But, no tyres or tubes were available. Tried the spare wheels we had in our four wheelers, but they were drowning due to the heavy disc.
Attu came up with the idea of using empter water cans. Next challenge was on how to seal the mouth of water can. We had some strong plastic covers to seal them. Though it can float and can sustain weight, it was not suffficient. Senthil brought a big thermocol sheet. we put them in between the water cans and a plastic sheet on top of the catamaran. Now the raft is ready. We tested with one person sitting on it. it could sustain.
Test Done with Murali.
By the time, we have made the raft ready, it was almost 11. Still no sights of boats. We decided to get in to action. Plan is to get to the interior streets, whoever wanted to get out, help them to get out with luggages and kids in the raft, with the adults joining us in water by holding raft. Murali, Karuna and myself decided to go out with the raft. Once we got in to the water, we can feel the filthy smell all around, water colour was black and we can see diesel leakage of the boats. We had to navigate slowly, because the water was chest or some places neck deep. Murali and Karuna had problems in slippers as well. So, the walking was very slow. We had our first customer for the raft, who was buying some items from the 100 feet road to their home in VGP selva nagar. He got hold of raft and left his things on top of it. Few more have joined. One woman joined as well, though she was not sure where she wants to go. She said somewhere in the end of the road (1 km away), but not sure exactly where. As we moved, lot of people watching from the balconies, utilities have started inquiring about situation outside. They had no clue on what is happening as there is no elecricity, hence no TV, no internet, no mobile connection. So, they did not even know the level of destruction.
More inquiries were on the relief/boats coming, whether buses/trains running, are we supplying milk packets (we ourselves did not have milk on that day), can we buy them some biscuit packs, will there be further rain, etc. Was happy to have conversations as it is long time since, we talked to strangers. Any doubts you have, now a days we google it and forgot to clarify with people nearby. There was family three streets away called us for help from their terrace. We said, we will drop these people and come there. As we walked through the water, we met more than handful of people all trying to go out mostly. Some of the north east people youngsters were more happy to run around in the water, despite the uncleanliness of the water. We saw the yazh super market's empty water cans floating in the flood. There was a dog stranded in the wall of park and there was no one to help. Murali wanted to help it out. We decided to take care of it on our return.
As we reached the end of the road, a youngster asked for help, with his elderly parents. Now that we have walked over a KM, and raft is pretty solid, we wanted to test its capability. Instead of only his father both his father and mother got on top of the raft with some things in bag. Raft sustained. We began our return journey. We can see the sun for first time in 4 days, which made our return journey with more hopes. The whole story of floods is hopes and despair alternated frequently. While we were waiting for their parents to climb on the raft, some one from top floor asked us to wait in main road, instead of inside the apartment. Reason they said is there were lot of snakes floating. This made us a bit nervous. Both myself and Murali were in shorts and exposed our legs to any insects wanting to have a bite.
Both elders onboarded and we were on our return journey to main road. Now the balance of the raft was tested though it could sustain the weight. When the water is at high level, it is easy to move the raft, but when it enters lower level, we had to carry the raft, which has made it very heavy. Each time something rolled on to our leg (either plastic cover or some paper), we got a bit worried. We could see a dead rat floating in the water. Murali has started using one of the pole to clear the garbage in front of the raft, so as to ensure a harmless journey. We have reached our apartment and crossed over to the main road. People from the 3rd street who asked for our help is no longer there. We could see more boats bailing out people now. It is almost 2 hours since we started and we have crossed about 2 kms+. Realised how difficult it is to travel in that water. Though boats seemed a better option, they had problems navigating through small roads and they are also not sure about the road directions. Finally the water was getting bad and bad. What kind of disease you would get in to is not known.
Raft with elderly couple
We dropped them in the mainroad near Adyar Anandha Bhavan. From there we could see the water is at only ankle level or less than knee level near the median. Quite a few people were walking between velachery railway station and viayanager bus stand, all near the median. Could not see any vehiciles, but there were plenty of boats, plying people.
The young man offered us money and we had to deny it. I realised few things, not all boat rides are service oriented, people do make money out of it. looking at us walking in neck deep, many might have thought we may charge them and they wanted to wait for better boat service, rather than raft service. Some decided to stay at home seeing sun coming out.
The young man wanted us to go and fetch his sister in law and new born baby. They were at vgp selva nagar cross street. We went with our raft again. Few people again joined us to carry their things to their home. Just before reaching to their home, we saw a snake (about 5 to 6 feets long) in front of us swimming across the road in 10 meters distance. Chill ran through my spine. We got the mother and two kids (one about 5 years and another one is new born) on top of the raft. This time we took different route, by going through sarathi nagar, PIND to Vijayanagar bus stand. The kid was very happy to go in a raft. we, the adults seem to be losing the fun in small things with the day to day worries.
By now, it is more than 2:30 pm and we were hungry. At vijayanagar the roads were dry and it was a pretty contrast picture to where we are 500 meters away. We could not see any buses. But, plenty of vehicles (temp van, etc) plying people to different parts there. Raft is pretty heavy now as we had to carry it fully. Few youngsters helped to carry it past vijayanagar signal. Once we crossed the signal towards pallikaranai, it is again flooded, hence we could drag the raft. We reached apartment. Manju had prepared dettol water for me to take a dip and once I had become purified allowed to enter the hall. Had a good lunch. Now, we could see more and more boats coming in. Water was receeding now. Took manju and Attu to main road through mall. Water in the main road (velachery-tambaram) was still at hip level in front of Grand mall.
Situation is better, but more and more horrific scenes were being shown in TV news. I was pretty sure the loss is much bigger than what is being reported as no one had any clue on the calamity which has happened. Even now, there is absolutely no NDRF, no police, no officials. it is two days after the disaster and three days with out electricity and there is no word of restoration.
Water in the road is still at hip level and did not want to drive out and get struck in the road. We would be the least important one to attend, as the disaster seemed pretty worst.
04th December - Going out for shopping
Woke up at 6 am again. It has become pretty standard to get up in the morning with out alarms. No tiredness or oversleeping. What did I do differently from other days. Rather I should ask what I did not do. I did not touch laptop, did not touch mobile, did not starve, did not have junk food, did not watch TV endlessly.
Past 3 days, we go to terrace in the morning first thing to get some network and make call. If we try 100 times, we get through once. Unfortunately the other party does not pick the call that time.
Myself and Manju went to grand mall entrance again (through car park - so you do not have to walk through water). Now water at grand mall entrance is at thigh level. We decided to go out. Road was pretty busy. NDRF team was waiting there. They were seen unpacking the rubber raft, etc. We walked through the water (it was knee deep). Quite a few bikes were seen riding along medians. Now the scenario is pretty clear, water is coming from Ram nagar to main road and then reaching vgp selva nagar. After reaching vgp selva nagar, it has nowhere to go and getting stagnant there.
we walked all the way to pazhamuthir nilayam in 100 feet road. Though the flood has completely receeded, it was all garbage in 100 feet road. It was like a riot has happened a while ago with things all around. Bought vegetables for our needs. Milk was not available anywhere. Mobile worked for few minutes. Called up home in kovilpatti and spoke to every one. Every body was worried, so had a quick call to assure them that we are safe.
Came back via velachery main road, which was also pretty good and drained. 3G worked and could see so many messages inquiring about our safety. In my team's group, people have been trying to reach out to others to find and inform regularly on updates. Some were (un)fortunate to have internet access all the day along. Now, we see people venting anger in EB office. water was being pumped out from the EB office. Was pretty sure that the electricity will not be restored until sunday.
After coming back home, went back with Atulya to give him some experience on the water again. By now, water level is receeding fast. We can see NDRF in action with boats. Though it was funny (and more of joke) to have boats in knee deep water, I can see lot of people coming out now in boats. Probably they have been waiting for official relief force to come in and rescue them. We could see Dr. Tamilisai coming in boat with steth in her shoulder to rescue people. Most of paramount people have come out now.
Water was receeding fast. We have encouragements to go out and get some diesel for DG. We lost our reputation to the mall guard as he wanted diesel. Gaurav used his influence to go out and get some diesel from Adyar. Now, we have enough diesel. We had put up revised timing for Genset usage (every day we revise timing :) ).
Ladies in the apartment arranged for a get to gether in community hall with pot luck dinner. For last 30 months we never had such gathering and all our association meetings are attended for little more than a handful of people. On a flood hit day, with people nothing to do and locked up in houses, it was a nice thing for every one and almost all the families had joined for get to gether. It was a nice dinner. I could feel the warmth in community being build in midst of the disaster.
It was absolute peace, with no noise of TV, phones, mobiles, calling bells. It was only people voices we could hear.
05th December - Driving around the city.
First thing, we did on Saturday morning is to take the vehicle out. Water is at the ankle level in our road, except in a patch, where it was at knee level. Went around the city. Could see the disaster very clearly. Now, it is about how to reach out to bigger community and to more needy people.
We had a gathering in the community hall again in the night, where we wanted to get in to relief work. I will write more on that later.
I kept telling Atulya to experience each and every bit of the day during the 1 week of flood. I am a firm believer of kannadasan's poem on experience.
By that yardstick, I felt closer to god for that week.
To sum it up :-
I definitely learnt quite a few things, some key ones are
1. When disaster strikes, it really strikes. Whatever you have planned does not work. So, it is not just planning, but also your ability to get back after disaster matters.
2. The more communicative medium we had the less we communicated. In that one week, I felt I had real good conversations.
3. Extraordinary situation does not require extraordinary deeds or peoples. It just need ordinary people to do ordinary things with courage.
4. Courage and selflessness go hand in hand and they are very contagious.
5. When people got rid of daily worries, they are more creative and confident
6. Best holiday you get is with out any digital devices. It is even better if no communcative networks as well. Government should consider banning those for one day in a month.
7. we are the most tolerant and resilient society and also we are the most forgiving society (you will know this meaning after the election)
8. You may know your neighbours but you start to hate or like them only after you interact them multiple times and that is important.
9. Inspite of so many advanced information systems, vital information are not reaching the right people at right time
10. Seeing Pain makes you emphathatic. Having pain makes you think of solution.
11. Government officials knowledge is not as good as many of the people living in neighbourhood.
12. A government which is not empowered can not govern effectively
Good writing Magesh
ReplyDeleteThank you
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