A YEAR AGO, on 26th of July 2005, the city of Mumbai made history recording highest rainfall ever of 944 mm in a single day, which virtually turned the city into one large ocean.

 

In no time the city was flooded with five to fifteen feet of water. The water gushed through the streets and by-lanes like a rampaging river.

 

The people of Mumbai were caught unawares by the flash flood as there was no forewarning from the Met department.

 

Some decided to spend night within the safe confine of their offices and those caught out on the streets sought out elevated places to avoid the rising tide.

 

The city’s samaritans came in good measures throwing open their houses to the stranded people, providing them with food and shelter. Vehicles submerged under water became a makeshift house with owners spending the night without food.

 

The city’s daredevil youth were out on the streets braving the rain and guiding the people to safety and some heroes bartered their lives in order to save those caught in the cesspool of water. For two successive days the city was lashed by incessant rain accompanied by rainy squalls touching 50 kmph to 78 kmph.

 

In the aftermath of 26th July deluge the city appeared a war zone. The roads were ravaged with potholes and rubble. The streets were lined with heaps of wet debris. The stench of rotting animal and human carcasses filled the air.

 

About 546 people met a watery grave, out of which 63 victims remained unidentified. 54 are still missing. About 20,000 private vehicles, 25,000 taxis and 750 state owned transport buses were damaged. The state incurred a loss of 6,000 crores.

 

The people of Mumbai recovering from the recent bomb blasts have once again demonstrated their spirit and feeling of oneness by remembering those who died in the July 26, 2005 deluge.

 

In order to show solidarity with flood victims, Mumbaikars turned out in large numbers, in the streets and offices wearing white attire, which stands for expression of peace and harmony on July 26, 2006. Silent rallies were taken out and people lit candles and prayed for the flood victims.