Having lived in an area like Tambaram all my life, I am accustomed to dealing with floods and flood-like situation. However, when I decided to leave for Kerala early this week, I was not prepared for the journey or the adventure that ensued. 

I left with my friends in a van carrying all the materials we had mobilised for the flood relief work in the State. We wanted to take the Kumuli route from Theni initially, but the road was badly damaged and we decided to go through Coimbatore and reach Palakkad. The onward trip was extremely harrowing, with us taking over 36 hours to reach the State. Many roads were battered, and we tried our best to clear the stretch to maneuver the terrain that has been struck with landslides. 

While food was easily available as long as we were in Tamil Nadu, it became a struggle to find something to eat as we entered Kerala and we turned to provisions we had kept aside for emergency.

In the last five days, after being through Thrissur, Thiruvalla, Chengannur and Changanassery, we are carrying out rescue works in Kuttanad. The rescue was relatively easier on boats. This is around Pampa river where the damage has been massive. By the time we reached, the flood waters had receded, but there were people still being recused from their homes. We joined with the teams from National Disaster Relief Force, the Armed Forces and local rescue teams. 

The area I am in is a college that houses several relief camps for the rescued people. There are more relief camps in and around the campus. Over a lakh or more people have been rescued by all teams so far. The focus is now on rebuilding the houses that have been damaged beyond repair. 

We have been through the worst of calamity in recent times. It will probably take several years. But it is a huge lesson for all of us. As I spoke to local population, I realised the rains and the destruction have shaken them. They said they have never feared rains but that it is time to introspect for all those who have taken Nature for granted.