There has been unprecedented rain fall in Tamilnadu during the past fortnight. The Nilgiris has been badly affected and has been virtually cut off from the rest of the state. All the tourists have been held up there not only due to unprecdented rains but also because of unprecedented landslides. The 'Toy train' has become unserviceable due to lot of breaches enroute and also due to the rails being thrown off or being twisted and having gone out of shape. The Railways have not been able to give any time frame for its restoration because of the enormity of the problem of reconstruction in restoring the breached bridges and tracks. It is estimated that a total of about 250 places both in the road and rail routes have been affected. The restoration of the track may take about six months. Meanwhile another dose of rainfall since yesterday has had its toll on landslides. It has been reported that lot of tenements built have been buried under the landslides. Certain tourists resorts have also been washed out beyond recognition. The reason being the greed and quest of man for wealth. All norms prescribed in construction have been flouted with immunity and it is said even the Courts orders on construction beyond certain degree - say 30 degree - ( I do not understand technically what is meant by this 30 degree) have been flouted. It is reported some constructions have gone beyond even 70 degree. But one thing is certain that mankind has been unkind to nature. It is reported that uncontrolled felling of trees for construction of buildings has been the cause of this unprecedented landslides in the history of Niligirs or Ooty. The root of the trees used to protect landslides caused by heavy rains and once the trees have been uprooted nature has given up and caused woeful damage to humanity.
There have been instances of researches and other eminent people cautioning about this impending disaster and man as is his wont gives scant regard for these genuine blowers. 'The minority is always right' - Bernard Shah. This adage seems to be right. This seems to be the same case with regard to Global Warming. Unless mankind wakes up we may be leaving a desert to the posterity.
