After a four-year hiatus, Kerala is witnessing another incessant downpour. A mere recollection of the 2018-19 times and the havoc it wreaked instills shrills down the spine. Albeit not on par with those disastrous times, this year's monsoon is a premonition. Trees are falling rampant while mudslide cases are reported in the hilly terrains of Kannur. Ayishath Nimha, a 6th standard student lost her life after a tree fell into the Kasargod Higher Secondary School roof where tons of students including Nimha were reading books unaware of the incoming disaster. The government should not sit pondering plans but needs to act. Lest the people expect is any kind of insipirng quotes from the echelons in power, unlike the 2018-19 times. Years have passed and it is the onus of the government to save every precious life in Kerala. There is no escape from their ineptness this time if a landslide or anything related to monsoon kills people since five year period is too long a time to build bulwarks to resist any natural calamity.

Not just the government, it applies to the people also to solicit caution. People should avoid late-night travel since monsoons can be ruthless during night and the electricity wires broken and tangled on streets are more than enough to invite a tragedy. Kerala is replete with many such tragedies of yesteryears, so it would be suitable if the people act duly understanding the seriousness of the situation.

It may pass one’s mind about this year’s monsoon not being as vigorous as the one experienced five years back. It will be ludicrous to judge Monsoon by keeping a reference to something that happened years back, as natural disasters come in a way mostly unprecedented. People need to watch IMD warnings and abide by whatever notions are stated by the government. On another note, Ponmudi and all such tourist hotspots have shown red flags and decided to not allow tourists unless there comes a respite from the torturing rains.

The government has started control rooms in all districts, whereas the disaster management team has now mastered their trade after facing the biggest challenge in 2018. People living close to vulnerable spots should arrange and keep ready an emergency kit if there comes a need to rush. The control room numbers and many such emergency telephone numbers are now being publicized. It is advisable if people scribble down the numbers in bigger forms and in places easy to remember and reach. People should also make sure the drinking water is heated since the monsoon of this year comes along with rapidly increasing cases of fever.