The 18km Flood Walk - Mumbai Rains

18 years ago, on this day, I walked 18 kilometers. Half of it on bare foot, my chappals gave up.?

I used to work in a tech company those days and on 26th July the rains happened. I was new to Mumbai and everyone said its business as usual we just have to leave earlier. So we all left from Bandra Pali naka, tried rickshaws, buses, couldnt get any, so we started walking.?

Dropped off few at Bandra station and we moved on. Raj Dsouza, my best buddy me and another girl I cant recall her name though. At Bandra east where the western express highway touches, Raj gets a call from their home asking him go back to office, even if you come, you cant get in the house - their house on 3rd floor and one-half floor was under water - theres no way one can climb up for the 3rd floor. So he and the other colleague asked me if I wish to go back to office. I thought my wife who is absolutely new to Mumbai will get scared and decided to walk ahead.?

We said goodbyes to each other and I started towards andheri. Only option was to walk in 1 feet deep water. All the roads are packed with traffic that was on a standstill for hours may be. People inside cars closed all the doors, the AC was on and they were just listening to the FM radio. I was a bit jealous, couldnt gather the courage to ask if I can join and get the warmth of a car. So I was telling myself, one day I will also have a car and just have fun in these moments. Anyway, its not just me walking but there are hundreds that I can see, in all there could be thousands may be, So cheered myself up and kept on.?

From 1 feet depth, the water levels went to 3 feet. At one point near Ville Parle, I saw some people standing in waist deep water, holding poles or something. I walked towards them, they said its flooding ahead and some cars got washed away, so they are guiding people not to go ahead and take another route inside chawls. They had a roap to assist the walkers to get to a safer path. I said thanks and took the help of rope and started walking.?

It was 7pm or so, and a bit dark. The path was very dark and chawls started showing up. To my surprise some low, dim lights showed us the way. The residents of these chawls were holding candles for us so we can see where and what we are stepping on. I thanked again and kept on. Never saw any faces nor knew anyone, not even wondered why they were doing what they were doing.?

The path took me to Ville parle station. By this time we are all like a giant walking squad. The station is fully packed with people. Some guys are distributing food packets, water some other. On the railoverbridge people are just settled - they sat and I saw some sleeping. The trains are just idling there and people are anxious if the train will start at all. I asked how can I go to Anderi east - people replied you should take the tracks and keep walking.?

There are thousands again walking towards Andheri. At the Andheri station there were more lights, so suddenly theres hope -may be I can get a riskshaw or bus (no Ola, Uber anyway back then). Outside the station there was none. The water flow was almost at the waist level. I kept walking - someone came towards me and said to take another route as he saw dead cows/buffalos were coming from that side, a Tabela is washed out. So the other route was full of city buses on standstill with full of people. At this time my chappals gave up. So its all bare foot.?

But thankfully after crossing the western express, the water was not on the road. Kept walking for not sure how long, till i heard a honk - a RED Best Mumbai city bus. I waived hand and like a god, he took me in. I said I dont have dry notes - he said its ok or something!?

The last half a kilometer was the best bus ride ever in my life.?

So I knock the door and said I walked so much for 5 hours, my wife cuts me and says - oh you could have stayed back at the office!