Marooned and drenched, Kutchis go ecstatic in the rains

BHUJ/AHMEDABAD: Bhuj residents have often heard of the famed English weather from countless NRGs settled in the UK. But, for once, they too had a chance to experience incessant drizzle, damp and cold winds, and the occasional sun taking a rare peep from behind the dark clouds.
Most called it the decade’s wonder, and used the opportunity to get their fill of something they may not experience again in another 10 years.Already, all the talukas of the district have recorded much more than their annual quota of rainfall and many Kutchis, who lost their houses in the earthquake 30 months ago and living in makeshift dwellings, find themselves hit by nature’s fury again. However, there is a silver lining too. The high point was reached when the Hamirsar Lake in the heart of Bhuj brimmed over. “It was indeed a sight to behold.
An overflowing Hamirsar was last seen in 1998,� says Kirti Khatri, editor of Kutch Mitra. The sight drew the crowds in hordes. Celebrations are already on, with people ignoring water-logging and a steady drizzle to join in Shravan festivities near the earthquake-hit Hadkesh Complex area in Bhuj, and breaking into a nightlong Garba on Tuesday to mark Diwasi’ or the beginning of the 100-day countdown to Diwali.
Bakul Joshi, a 40-year-old postman who has waded in waist-deep water for three days to distribute letters, says, “Its just given me a slight cold, but the experience was unique. I may not be able to do this again in my lifetime,� says Joshi. The rains have got industry circles upbeat too. “There has been enough water to store and the water table has also risen.
Though it has rained incessantly, the situation has remained more or less under control,� says Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ashok Sharma, who feels upbeat despite the fact that work at the Kandla port was been affected. Even Border Security Force personnel have interesting anecdotes to share. The incessant downpour in Kutch has brought with it some good news because of the fact that if they could not navigate the inundated Indo-Pak borders, neither could the infiltrators.
DIG, BSF Gujarat, K R Patel, who has served in this border district in 1997-99 as a commandant, does not remember such a heavy downpour. The river skirting the Chiyarsar village of Abdassa, one of the worst-hit talukas, has caused heavy flooding. But the villages are neck-deep into Shravan festivities. “It has left us marooned. But, who in Kutch can recall such an experience ?� exclaims Laxmidas Meghji Bhanusali of Chiyarsar.