A mother's harrowing journey through the floods of Mumbai, India, in 2005, reveals the devastating impact of climate change. Ruchira Gupta, an interpreter and former lawyer, recounts her experience during the Maharashtra floods, which claimed the lives of 926 people.
The Rising Waters of Climate Breakdown
As heavy rainfall pounded Mumbai, Ruchira found herself in a dire situation. With her two daughters relying on her, she embarked on a treacherous commute home. The rain was relentless, and the winds were fierce. Her colleague's warning about the impending train disruptions prompted her to leave work, but little did she know the challenges that lay ahead.
A Race Against the Floods
Ruchira's journey began at her office, where she was advised to avoid the ladies' coach due to potential dangers. As she made her way to the station, the rain and wind battered her, rendering her umbrella useless. The roads were already flooded, and her lower legs were soaked by the time she reached the crowded Churchgate station.
Boarding the last train, she witnessed the slow, arduous journey as the tracks were submerged. The leaking roof forced passengers to open their umbrellas inside the coach. At Bandra station, the train halted, unable to proceed due to the flooding.
A Desperate Search for Safety
Ruchira's plight continued as she crossed the bridge, struggling to keep her eyes open against the heavy rain. Without a raincoat, she clung to her bag for warmth, already drenched. Her husband's office, Bandra Kurla Complex, offered a glimmer of hope, but the journey there was treacherous. She managed to stop a truck, only to be dropped off at a gas station, from where she had to wade through knee-deep water to reach her husband's office.
The Shocking Realization
But here's where it gets chilling: as she walked, the water gradually rose to her waist, yet she kept going, unaware of potential hazards like loose electric wires or open drains. Cars floated in the water near her husband's office, a sight that initially amused her but soon turned to fear.
A Mother's Trauma
Ruchira's primary concern was her daughters, alone at home with the caregiver.
