Wet City

"Are you Sure? Do you realize the implications of what you just said?"

"I am very sure. There will be an unprecedented high tide on the 26th of July in Mumbai. One that we haven't seens in centuries. That in itself, will give us enough trouble, because the tide is large enough to flood low-lying areas like King's Circle, Milan subway etc. even if it just drizzles for a few hours steadily. But the low pressure area developing off the coast promises to bring in heavy rains at around the same time. That means practically the whole city will be submerged under water for three days."

"How much time do we have?"

"This is the weather. I cannot pin point the hour and..."

"How much time?"

"We don't have the equipment to make an accurate forecast. This is the met office, we're a low priority office..."

"Cut it, Sawant. Just give me an estimate. We need to get information out there fast and do a lot if we are to ensure that minimal life is lost. Will you please give me an estimate, man?"

"We have maybe five days, maybe less, sir. That is the best I can say at this time."

"Thank you, Sawant. Send Alka in on your way out, please."

Khobragade rubbed his temples. He could feel the beginnings of a headache. It promised to be one of those irritatingly severe ones. Normally, he would have called it a day and gone home to sleep it off. But today, he couldn't afford that luxury. Why did Sawant have to tell him, of all people? Why couldn't it be one of his other colleagues? There were enough of them at his level in the organization. Why single me out?

Anyway, this had to be dealt with. No Options.

Sonali Hudar
27th June 2009.