Rain! Rain! Went Away

Finally, Chennai people heaved a sigh of relief as "Nisha" bade adieu.Some of the roads are free of water but water is still clogging in many parts of the city.It is only this year, water seemed to have entered into many residents.Otherwise,only people who live in lower terrains experience water flooding inside their residents.I also have my share of experience with Nisha.

Last Thursday,I started from my office, which is in T.Nagar by 5 pm.But till 5.45pm , I didn't find any auto for my residence, which is barely within two and half kilometers from my office.Finally, I cajoled an auto man to pick me up for any charge he quotes.He informed me that the Duraisamy subway and Madley subway were already submerged in the water and have been closed.Consequently, I agreed to get down near Pothys and decided to walk till my house.At first, he ventured into the new flyover that is built in T.Nagar.Much to our shock, the traffic had come to a historic standstill.The auto driver lamented that we could reach the destination only after three hours if we proceed in that route further.So, he took a different route and maneuvered the auto into different streets and lanes to reach barely few meters away from the starting point.


In next to no time,he took a wrong one way route and "safely" dropped me near the Duraiswamy subway after giving several reprimands from the uniformed personnel a pass.After the action sequences, here comes the humor part.I had only one 500-rupee note in my purse.So I handed over that 500 rupee note and asked right royally for the balance.


The auto man gave me an irritated look as if he had decided to take me back to the starting point, but said in a seemingly polite tone that he had no change. I rummaged through my handbag very hardly and could manage to find a 50 rupee note.I handed over the 50 rupee note saying "idu dannga irrukku"(I have only this, sir).I didn't bother much for the dirty glance that the auto man gave back but moved out of the auto (with a bad feeling).The poor auto fellow left the place helplessly. Then came the tragedy.I had to literally swim in the water that was flowing into the streets like river(see picture).

Luckily, I had many companions,who had ventured into the same task.But to make the situation worse,the people who were coming from the opposite side were "wishing me a good luck" for passing the manholes and puddles on my way by saying "pathu poma kuli naraya irukku" (be mindful of the man holes).I could see many scooters and cars coming to a halt with strange sounds.Many people were pushing their(broken down) vans and cars in groups to their destination.I carefully kept one foot after another in the water as if I was learning to walk only then.Not to mention, I had to battle out with the cardboards and other particles that were getting caught in my legs.At last,I reached home.Thank god! The ordeal was over.After that,I didn't show up in the rains for the next three to four days.But,today when I came out in the scorching heat,I was wondering whether I am in the same place where I was few days ago.Luckily, a grate deal of water has dried up in Duraiswamy subway.

(Note: these are pictures of Duraiswamy subway after heavy rainfall on Thursday.photo courtesy:e-mail forwards)