Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the country during the monsoon season laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness. The poor had to bear the brunt of the problem while no one was ever held accountable. Write an article in 150–200 words on the common man’s woes during the monsoons and the need for accountability of the officials concerned. You are Sumit/Smita Verma.
Common Man’s Woes during the Monsoon
By Sunita Varma
After surviving the horrendous heat of the summer, the cool showers of monsoon truly are a respite. Everything around us looks clean and refreshed as the rain water washes away the dirt and also leaves behind an earthy fragrance. For some monsoon is like a friend that brings them immense joy; for others monsoon brings muck and illnesses. However, there are also those for whom monsoon is the cause of their woes.
Global warming has resulted in major climatic changes which has affected the seasons drastically. Monsoon for one, has not been the same. The rainfall has been quite erratic in the recent past. As a result while some parts of India suffered drought, others were flooded due to incessant rainfall. However, the problem does not end there. Although the urban jungle is growing at a fast pace, it still lacks some of the basic necessities, such as well constructed and safe roads, proper garbage disposal and drainage system, clean and disease free surroundings, etc. Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the country during the monsoon season laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness.
Slightest rainfall causes the drains to overflow, which flood the roads in return. The potholes formed on the road get filled with water and quickly become the breeding space for various disease causing bacterias. More often than not the murky water hides under it the uncovered pits, ditches and manholes, which cause severe accidents and are a threat to life.
Since the civic authorities do not take timely action, unnecessary traffic jams, electrical failure, office goers and school children half submerged in the drain water overflowing on the road, etc. have become a common sight during the monsoon every year. While the poor and the common man has to bear the brunt of the problem as their hutments too get flooded by the rain water, and not much help is provided to them to drain it out, no one is ever held accountable as to why these problems arose. Until and unless the concerned officials are held accountable for not performing their duties properly and get reprimanded for their callous and unprofessional behaviour, the scenario is not going to get better for common man.