The
deluge that engulfed Chennai city, its suburbs and other coastal towns of Tamil
Nadu has never been seen before. That
the great Metro was brought to its knees and made to cower, goes to prove in
clear, explicit terms that men, machine and materials are all immaterial before
the power of nature. Nothing can stand against such a tumultuous force and
anything and everything that comes its way would be swept away. As far as the
eye could see, there is nothing other than sheets of water to be seen. The
historical city got historical rain which unfolded untold misery.
Almost
all suburban areas of Chennai city went under knee deep water with entire
colonies getting submerged, throwing normal life out of gear to shreds. Road,
Rail and Air connectivity to Chennai city went haywire. The loss of valuables
is invaluable. The remedial measures initiated by the Government machinery,
assisted by social service organizations, charitable associations succeeded in
rescuing marooned people from their drenched, submerged habitats but the
bitter, horrid memories will linger in peoples’ mind, and haunt them for a long
time to come.
The
saying “ Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink “ came verbatim true
for thousands and thousands of desperate people. The intensity of the tragedy
attained gargantuan levels with the media visuals getting aired. For over a
century, a calamity of this magnitude was neither expected nor experienced by
Chennai city and its inhabitants. Nonetheless to say, it will take considerable
time and energy to resuscitate the ravaged city and its beleaguered residents.
Seeing
their residential units submerged in swollen waters, the unfortunate owners
will definitely have a second thought about continuing living there, even after
the water receding. What is the guarantee that the
horrendous experience will not get repeated
next year ?
The
floods exposed the rapaciousness of the realtors, builders in converting water
bodies into layouts and promoting dwelling units on lakebeds with sheer
impunity of law and scant respect for nature. This Himalayan tragedy is attributed to the
connivance, nexus between the realtors and the Government
Authorities, for promoting and approving the construction of houses on encroached
lakes and dried water bodies. It should be remembered that mother nature has
the means to
provide for everyone’s need, but it cannot
satisfy a single
man’s greed.
What
has been done, cannot be undone. The Government should rise up to the occasion
in alleviating the sufferings of the affected people. More importantly, there
should be stringent regulations while granting approval for construction of
residential and commercial units. The hand of law should come down heavily on
the violating realtors and the conniving officials, who flout all rules and
prosper at the expense of the hapless investors. It is time to swirl the whip,
so as to bring the offenders to submit and fall in line. Lest this tragic
episode will get enacted over and over again.
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