Cyclones in Coastal Cities

As Kerala is expecting cyclone Tauktae  to hit the State in the next 4 hours, heavy rains have started lashing its northern district Kasaragod already. I recall how we braced ourselves when Cyclone Vardha, with a  speed of 105 kms crossed coast near Chennai  more than 4 years ago (12.12.16) and  left a trail of destruction behind. The next day, with no electricity at home for 36 hours, I went out for my daily walk and could not believe what I saw. In utter disgust, I wrote to THE HINDU and shared my anguish... It was published in THE HINDU on 16.12.16. My write up is reproduced below:

                                         

             "MOST AGONISING WALK OF MY LIFE".                                                                                           It was a walk I will not forget for the rest of my life. A day after cyclone Vardha hit Chennai, I took my usual walk in the Boat Club Area where I had taken many a walk -- over the last ten years -- under lofty trees and to the accompaniment of bird chirps.   But on 13th December, What I saw was totally agonising.. Several tall trees that stood erect and elegant all these years were battered and uprooted by the cyclone and lying on the roads. While crashing, the trees had also flattened the compound walls of several houses. For trees that escaped such a rout, their major branches were ripped off from their trunks and they appeared limb-less. It was a ghastly sight.                                                                                 

I could not help recollecting the refreshing walks I had always had there --   the serene atmosphere, the canopy of trees, fragrance of flowers, lack of vehicular traffic and a dedicated lot of walkers/ joggers -- young and old alike, stretching themselves every day to stay fit.                                                              

 Another unique feature is that you can always  find company no matter what time you choose to go for a walk there.  I have been there at 4 a.m or as late as 11 a.m and on several days between 4 p.m and 9 p.m-- you can always see other walkers there --  perhaps, all  are encouraged to walk there by the calmness pervading the area, and the aroma from the flora of several well maintained gardens.

   On that day, several wood cutters were chopping the fallen trees and clearing the roads for the residents to step out.  As I completed my walk, I wondered how long it would take for the green cover to be restored in the Boat Club area. Perhaps, not much -- for still there are a lot of trees left and more may be planted in the days to come.                                                                                                         M. Chandrasekaran.