Rain, Rain, Go Away

Actually, I think we have gotten pretty lucky with the rain fall so far.  In the first three weeks, it only rained twice.  The first time being the second day we were there, and then once in the second week.  On our trip to Goa, it rained six times over the weekend with the longest rain lasting a mere 2 minutes and the shortest lasting a whole seven seconds.  But, when it rains, it really rains!   That seven second rain was like someone dumped a massive bucket the size of the entire sky right on our heads!  Luckily we were under an umbrella when it rained, but the water coming in from the side was still pretty powerful.

Last night, on my way home from work, it started to rain, nothing big, until I got off the bus.  As soon as I got off the bus and put up my umbrella, the rain was coming down so hard, it was pushing the umbrella down in my hand.  I don’t have a long walk home when I get off the bus, actually I just have to cross the street (and when it rains, two rivers).  I wish it was as simple as crossing a street.  (Intermediate) Ring Road is a pretty major road in the city.  It is supposed to be a two lane highway, but it turns into a four lane free for all on each side.   Crossing it is usually not too bad as I can make a quick dash across and get to the median and repeat.    But, when it rains, two rivers form and there is really only one path that I can take - at the narrowest point of the torrent of water rushing down the road.  So, last night, I had to stand at the narrow point of the river in the road waiting for a break in traffic.  Luckily, I had an umbrella to stay partially dry. I say that because it’s not the biggest umbrella in the world, and more so for the fact that the water comes from all directions when it monsoons.  The water comes down, from the left, from the right, and even back up at me from the ground!

Well, standing in the rain is not fun, but after five minutes, I crossed the street, and made it back to my hotel.   My left side was all wet.  And just my luck, not even 3 minutes after taking my wet clothes off, I looked outside, and the rain had stopped.    As I sat there and looked out of my dry room, I watched the river continue to flow down the street.  The drainage is pretty poor here, and everything is constantly wet, so the water sits on the street for a while.   It leaves great big mud puddles that if you are unlucky, get splashed on your by a passing car.  Or, if you are even unluckier, you slip on the sidewalk and land on the wet and dirty ground and get filth all over you.  Sorry Steve, I had to tell people of your misfortune.

I shouldn’t be complaining about the rains thought.  The monsoon rains impact the health of the Indian economy; as Indian agriculture employs 600 million people and composes 20% of the national GDP, good monsoons correlate with a booming economy. Weak or failed monsoon seasons result in widespread agricultural losses and substantially hinder overall economic growth. In the city, the rains reduce temperatures and replenish groundwater tables, rivers, and lakes.  But, in the last few years, there has been a significant decline in the monsoon rainfall. The southwest monsoon, responsible for 80% of the country’s annual rainfall and the basis of Indian agriculture, has substantially reduced in the last 50 years, shrinking in duration, spatial distribution and quantum.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123054361000.htm

Some Interesting facts:

  • Bangalore has the highest number of 2-wheelers in the world.
  • Bangalore has the dubious reputation for the highest 2-wheeler thefts.
  • Bangalore has the highest density of traffic in the world.
  • Bangalore was the first city in India to receive electricity.
  • Bangalore has the highest number of public sectors and government organizations in India.
  • Bangalore has the highest number of temples, mosques, churches & gurdwaras for all the cities in India.
  • Bangalore was founded in 2nd Century and still has the same infrastructure drainage & sanitary systems - the oldest in the world.

http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/bangalore/facts.html

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional Valid CSS! PHP Apache Linux