following article appeared on www.urbanophil.net:
Urban monsoon
/ commentary by George Jahnsen
The first heavy rains of this year's monsoon season will begin in Mumbai soon. Each about 24 the months of June and July are superimposed on the monsoon rains of extreme tidal flooding. The city expects a flood of the century, which may turn out to be worse than that of July 2005, which the city flooded up to two meters.
tried the light of these forthcoming events, the city, as far as resources and opportunities are available to prepare. Private shops, restaurants and hotels have temporary roofs bamboo and blue plastic sheeting erect in front of their buildings and try to special promotions and discounts ("Monsoonshopping) the expected sales to fall by up to 30% meet . The adventurous roof structures seen here are not unlike the urban slums.
The city administration, meanwhile, can strengthen the streets clean in order to keep the drains free of trash and floating debris. Critical traffic intersections that are at risk of flooding to be equipped with makeshift roadway increases: a steel construction with solid wood planks of up to one meter in height. Besides the "Flood" from the top because of the flooding is also in poor urban drainage system: the virtual absence a restraint system for sea water, especially in the newer urban areas - leading to flooding from below. It is possible that freely at high tide the ocean to the urban waste water and storm sewers suppressed.
mean for most of the population of Mumbai, the impending flooding of the city a direct threat to one's dwelling. About 70% of Mumbaiker live in slums or slumähnlichen accommodations. These are often found in low-lying urban areas and near urban open channels and river banks. The buildings are rarely higher than two floors. As a rule directly on the floor the city used to. For many, it already means a huge financial effort to build a simple, reasonably rainproof roof. Rarely is enough for a half wall to the entrance of the water from the street.
The high humidity and high temperatures are in the dense city is an ideal breeding ground for many infectious diseases that threaten the population in the monsoon season.
So everything bad in the monsoon in the metropolis? If you ask the people in the city, whether they are afraid of the monsoon rains, you get to hear a laugh: almost all are looking forward to the spectacle. The monsoon is a welcome cooling and cleaning perceived and appreciated. And all the tips and tricks as well as urban myths have to tell at this time. Here are the top 5 tricks of survival in urban monsoon floods
first shun) sidewalks. Instead of going on the road. The channels on the sidewalks with the large openings develop in flood a huge wake and devour unwary passers-by.
2) The first rain in quite possible to go out of the way, as contained in this rain the most air pollutants.
3) luxury car death trap: some modern cars with automatic central locking and power windows are a death trap at high water, because they can not be opened when the water has exceeded a certain level. A hammer in the glove compartment can there be life saving.
4) Is it only the bare minimum with you. Documents and technical equipment to your home. Anyone with a laptop this time around with it, has itself to blame. For mobile phones, there are water-tight "Ziplog" plastic bags.
5) suburbs and slums avoid. The numerous newly formed suburbs have been built in recent years at a rapid pace. The expansion of the sewerage and drainage were not rare errors and omissions committed. In larger slum sewers usually completely missing.
Photos: George Jahnsen
