People say a disaster like flood is manageable; not drought. But a disaster is a disaster, so why say drought is even more disasterous. The reason they give is that flood can be mitigated to some extent; it is not so easy in the case of a drought. People of Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai know that better. TN was hit severely both by drought (From 2001 to 2004) and floods (In 2005-2006).
With soaring prices of metro water, the struggle we had to put as a result of water scarcity in the city was profuse. Scenes of women squabbling on the streets were quite common; there were instances where the local police had to arrive, to settle the issue smoothly. I still remember this: we were advised by the apartment association to use only 3/4th a bucket for bathing, and only a mug for a face wash!
It was in the year 2003 that the government of TN made the rainwater harvesting scheme mandatory :
"Through an ordinance titled Tamilnadu Muncipal Laws ordinance, 2003, dated July 19, 2003, the government of Tamil Nadu has made rainwater harvesting mandatory for all the buildings, both public and private, in the state. The deadline to construct rainwater harvesting structures is August 31, 2003. The ordinance cautions, "Where the rain water harvesting structure is not provided as required, the Commissioner or any person authorised by him in this behalf may, after giving notice to the owner or occupier of the building, cause rain water harvesting structure to be provided in such building and recover the cost of such provision along with the incidental expense thereof in the same manner as property tax". It also warns the citizens on disconnection of water supply connection provided rainwater harvesting structures are not provided."
MTC buses plying across the metro carried advertisements urging the need for rain water harvesting. Slowly it became a people's movement. After the implementation of this scheme, a significant increase in both the quality and level of ground water was noted. The water quality in Chennai is a long way to reach International standards. After an Indian Ocean tsunami lashed the shores of TN, the weather pattern changed drastically. Bay of Bengal which could withstand not more than one or two cyclones, witnessed 4 to 5. During the year 2005-2006, the highest rainfall of 2356.5 mm was recorded in Chennai district.
2012 was a disappointment for Chennai. TN is one of the states which receives rain from both South-West and North-East monsoon. Usually when the city records less rainfall, the south-west monsoon bridges the gap. This year it fell short by nearly 7 cm of the season’s normal of 41 cm. Overall shortage is estimated to be 33%.
I was taken aback when people were literally praying that it should'nt rain during the ARR concert or during the cricket matches. Short-term pleasures, unmindful of long term ones, seem to be the need of the hour. People, its high time we change our mindset. Why do we often hear the king in dramas uttering the words "நாட்டில் மும்மாறி பொழிகிறதா அமைச்சரே ??" (Minister, is there enough rainfall in our country?)
Although water provides no calories or organic nutrients, it is essential for every known form of life. It is considered as a purifier in most religions, philosophy and literature. For the crops to grow, for the agriculture and plains to flourish and for us to sustain on this planet we need water. And what is the purest form of water? Rain.
