The storm arrived after dark, although not an unexpected guest. Clouds had been building during the afternoon. This storm arrived though, with a force. Picture lightening that is so frequent that the sky is light more than it is dark; picture thunder that is so frequent you would think that the lead drummer of a famous band was at work in the sky. And the rain – ah the rain. It would be easy to think that you were on the set of some B Hollywood movie where an over anxious prop guy was standing on the roof with a fire hose trying to fake a storm. Yet, there were streams of rain coming off the roof that felt like there was a small but powerful waterfall above you. This went on for 45 minutes or so.
Throughout the night and again this morning, the power has been on and off several times. This means that the ceiling fans that keep the most, hum air in motion can eb absent creating a heaviness to the air at times.
the cows manage to eat the Palm Tree fruit that falls all over the place. Very fibrous. Many around on the ground after last night's storm
The smell of the air is magical so we went outside (under cover) to watch and breathe in this magical aroma. The night watchman told us that we must watch out for snakes escaping the building pool of water in the central courtyard. He had seen one escaping already.
It seems odd that, in a place where monsoon rains are part of the annual cycle, that drainage has been built so poorly. The courtyard was building into a pool before our eyes that was destined to overflow and then creep towards the room. There was no alternative.
Yet, this morning we wake to only a tiny pool inside our front door, the pool has vanished and the air has a humid coolness to it, the early morning bird song and chirps are a symphony at work. The watchman wanders around picking up flowerpots overturned in the storm.
Behind us is a construction site. There is a hole in the ground that is now a pool. Like boys all over the world, this invites attention. Four lads gather at the side, picking up rocks and engaging in a contest to see who can throw the farthest rock. Such simple joy.
This is the kind of intense rain that turns roads into muck; floods lowlands and feeds dry soil while filling reservoirs. It is a mixed blessing but for most, a blessing. There had been rains a few days ago, albeit not so intense. Yet, the day after in Pondicherry, the city about 8 km from us, we found stores that had been flooded. One was a favorite lunch spot denying us a stop as they tried to clean up. Last night’s storm, more intense, will create more flooding for people’s homes and businesses. A familiar cycle from which clean up will then occur. It will be interesting to catch the news in the next few days to see what longer term damage there has been.
after the rains, the boys found a pool to throw stones in
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