As the east coast in the US recovers from Hurricane Sandy, back in India, the south east coast is being ravaged by cyclone "Nilam" (always women, eh?). The damage is not as severe as expected on the Tamil Nadu coastline, and Nilam is now headed towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline. As a result, Bangalore, where I live has received over 88 mm rainfall in the last two days.
From about 5 pm yesterday evening, the powerlines went out because of feeder problems at the power station and power was restored only around 9.30 am this morning. That is more than fourteen hours of no power! After that, we've been having powercuts on and off - with no idea when it will stabilize.
Then, around 2 pm this afternoon, we heard a massive noise like an explosion. This was similar to the sound we hear when the transformer outside our building blows off. But we were alarmed to hear a series of these sounds in succession. Guess what? One of the massive trees near the compound wall at the back of our building uprooted and fell - across the road - on the compound wall of the building opposite ours. On its path, the tree totaled four cars. One of the cars got pushed up the sidewalk from the impact of the tree.
The amazing thing was we called the municipal guys to inform them about this, and they were there within the hour, sawing away at the branches, working to clear the road. Hats off to them. Their giant electric saw has been buzzing away for the last few hours, as piles of branches grow on the side of the road. I admire them for working in this weather, in the rain. Can't be easy. Especially since they deserve to be at home today, being a public holiday.
November 1 is celebrated as "Rajyotsava" in Karnataka commemorating the birth of the state. On November 1, 1956, the state of Karnataka was born when all the Kannada speaking regions of South India were merged.. This is a big deal in the state with lots of events all over the place. Instead of enjoying this well-deserved holiday, especially on a rainy day, these heroes are busy at work clearing a fallen tree from the road so that others may be safe.
Here are some pictures (click to enlarge)
The tree fell, taking the compound wall with it
Right across the road, smashing that yellow car and driving it up the sidewalk with its impact, totaling it
And over to the other side of the road, where you can see a red car trapped behind that grill. Can't get out unless the branches are removed. The building is also damaged.
Outside, parked on the road, another car feels the impact. The branches have been cleared from the top of the car...
The road is blocked
What a wicked sight! Our own compound wall literally broke. You can see the power lines dragged down by the weight of the branches. The capacitors were smashed.
The men are hard at work chopping up
I was thinking, what if the tree had swayed to the other side, on the building, instead of over the wall? I can't bear to think of it!
Yes, folks, we are all in this together. Nobody expected this tree, seemingly permanent, to fall. And it is literally divine intervention that no one was in these cars that were smashed. This is a quiet road where children are always playing and should have been, especially since today is a holiday. At the moment the tree fell, the road was empty.
When things like this happen, all I can feel is gratitude for the life I have. I want to:
- let go of the trivia I worry about
- say my :"i love you"s
- call my friends and tell them how much I appreciate them
- do more, give more
- laugh more
- be mindful
- release my fear
- clear the clutter faster
- think positive thoughts
- forget about the things that make me sad
- find ways to be more productive
- honor my soul
- leave a legacy of kindness
- be the change I expect
- remember to choose happiness!
P.S.:
My next post at Parentous is up: "The Rewind Technique" I would love to know what you think!
