When the storm headed our way, the news of it brought with it a storm of curiosity. The childlike wonder took over and the spate of questions only remained.
What would change about the winds, the skies, the landscape? Apart from the measurables and the predicted damage the storm was about to cause..everything before and after the storm was undeniably beautiful. Enchanting.
Before it began. Everything went absolutely still. Every color was more delicate and every element was more pronounced. Still, like it was never going to happen. As if there never was a storm on the anvil.
Until the colors changed over the horizon. The sea went back altogether as if preparing for a massive leap forward. From above us clouds started to merge with the horizon and strong winds swirled all around us as if making up it’s mind about which way to go.
As the clouds continued to saunter into the scene from behind me, the landscape behind me began to change dramatically. From subtle to stark..the storm was poised to take over the scene.
As the tones began to change..
and started to get richer, the battle for the skies seemed to have begun.
That one lone star braved an appearance before the clouds enveloped the entire sky.
The winds picked up pace. Everything was starting to blur. The evidence of the setting storm came in the form of gushing wind that pushed us back a few steps, the winds threatened to displace us altogether and the waves started to lap up every inch of the very beach we stood on. The long beach was suddenly shortened, the sea seemed to heave under the weight of its own intent and drew strength from the wind. Together they were a formidable force.
The storm.
We took shelter under one strong roof that night. The wind howled through the narrow gaps between the large trees. The trees creaked with the resistance it offered. The protest was muted by the falling branches and the sea. The gentle waves of yesterday that lapped us up and allowed us to play, like a grandfather indulging his grandchildren. Today it seemed like a petulant child, wailing and demanding more attention. I shut my mind, that threw up the worst scenarios from time to time. Sleep beckoned.
Leaves were strewn across the place next morning. Twigs and branches as accompaniments to the leaves. The air carried a chill and some nip. The sea was less petulant and the mood more steady. But not normal as yet.
The beach was inundated alright. Not just with water but with scores of shells. The beach has probably swelled from the waves crashing into it through the night, such that every time a wave came it left behind a pool of water and the reflection on the made it all seem ethereal.
As the days wore on, some changes seemed temporary while others lingered for as long as they could. Like the colors of the skies. They stayed a deep orange for a few days after the storm had dissipated into a mere depression towards the east end of Bay of Bengal. News began to pour in from all directions. What had this cyclone done to the modern day world and how had it fared or not.
And then it was still again on my side of the green grass. The storm was different here, since it isn’t a heavily inhabited area. We were after all only in it’s path. Not the destination.
But there was noise in the wake of calm.
As of the morning of December 31, Cyclone Thane had left at least 46 dead in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Cuddalore and Pondicherry were the worst affected by Thane.
Fishing activities had come to a complete halt, the cumulative loss in earnings for the hamlets was a little over Rs. 15 crores. The storm lasted two days.
A relief fund of Rs. 150 crore was announced.
In Andhra Pradesh, 700 fishermen were reported to be stranded near the Nizampatnam Bay area due to the rough sea conditions.
In the Cyclone Thane, around 90 per cent of the mangrove trees in Puducherry suffered damage, however as long as they are not completely uprooted, the trees had a chance to re-grow.
What the cyclone meant in a heavily infested area…
(Source: http://www.abc.net)
Ramya Ravi 