The monsoons have started in Mumbai, although it hasn't rained for the past two days. As much as we love this weather, heavy rains usually disrupt traveling due to the bad state of the roads, rails and basic infrastructure of our beloved city.

Who could highlight this problem better than the 'Big Daddy of the world' with its recent travel advisory to its globetrotting citizens. Recently, the US government issued a travel advisory asking its citizens to beware of manholes in Mumbai, as they are generally left open by the municipal corporation to ease flooding in low-lying areas.

Living in Mumbai its a common phenomenon, although you could probably drown in a pot hole as well but Jairaj Phatak, the civic chief states only 10 people have died by falling into manholes in the last seven years. So you don't need to worry, keeping in mind the population here that's negligible. He forgot to mention the thousands who die due to leptospirosis and malaria after the monsoons.

But imagine yourself in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina stuck, thats what 26/7 was for Bombay. Unlike the looting of shops that took place and the fighting amongst each other, thousands of citizens from every corner of Mumbai came together to help each other.

The warning on the US Consulate site said:

"The monsoon has arrived in western India, and Mumbai is experiencing the season's storms. With this come the possibility of heavy flooding... The rains during monsoon are significant and, in July 2005, led to heavy loss of life. You should follow common sense precautions, avoiding low-lying areas that appear to be flooded. Also be extremely cautious when driving or walking during flood periods.

To ease flooding in Mumbai, Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC)workers will open manhole covers on roads, and there may be no markers... In reduced visibility conditions, you could drive into one of these open manholes. You should also pay attention when walking, since sidewalks are non-existent in some areas or used for other purposes in most parts of the city. It's possible that you could inadvertently step into an open manhole."

It would have been really appreciated if they could help us out with the Tsunami warnings as well as its really difficult for us to get our local bodies to do something. Although i'm quite sure I saw a similar days of high tide notice in the local paper. Makes me wonder was it taken from the consulate site?

Something perhaps we can appreciate and learn from Uncle Sam after the whole lot of stuff they need to unlearn. Here's Sam's warning of 13 dangerous days of monsoons in Mumbai, where tourists should pay "particular concern".

A few days later the US Consulate in Mumbai apologised to the city's civic chief, and said that the advisory was for first time travelers to Mumbai, and people who have never experienced monsoon in the city.

"The BMC is doing a very admirable job under difficult circumstances in dealing with the special challenges posed by the monsoon." Well, of course, the US Consulate General had to praise the BMC to avoid any trouble or should I say 'disruption of services'.