Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Mumbai rain

In the incessant rain, Mumbai has once again shown its resilience and never-say-die spirit. The most ordinary citizens rose to the occasion.

However, government agencies failed miserably.

Conspicuous by their absence were the politicians. Worse were the film stars. The residents of palatial bungalows did not provide even safe drinking water, let alone shelter, to the stranded.

Mehmood M. Abdi,
Mumbai

Water entered low-lying apartments and people stood helplessly on the roads. The traffic police were nowhere to be seen. There were no trains or buses, and telephone and power lines were down. A mournful silence gripped the city. All we could hear were people exchanging tales of painful experiences.

But even as thousands walked day and night, braving the heavy rain, not a single incident of theft, molestation or eve-teasing was reported. Hats off to the resilience and civility of the Mumbaikars.

A.R.K. Pillai,
Mumbai

What was most disturbing was the complete breakdown in communication. While local trains were dysfunctional, no announcements were made on the state of marooned tracks and possible time of resumption of services.

There was no sign of traffic policemen on the streets. Volunteers took over by giving directions to stranded vehicles and providing food to the needy. All that the authorities did was to point an accusing finger at one another.

V. Rajesh,
Mumbai

While Mumbaikars deserve all praise for their fortitude, chivalry and humaneness, vested interests spread rumours about a breach of the Powai dam, leading to a stampede and 18 deaths.

The contrast was painful — one section reaching out to help others and another spreading disinformation and causing panic.

H.P. Murali,
Bangalore

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