DOWNPOUR DISTRESS Wish I had a camera! I blurted out when I tiptoed from of my uncle's house. Wondering if it was a Kodak moment. No. It was water, water and only water that had engulfed my locality, Dum Dum Park. I had read a lot about Kolkata floods but, this time, I had a real encounter with a similar crisis. Sept 23 (the night before): It had started raining from 6 pm or so. Or rather it was pouring, literally. But, being in a posh media office it was impossible to fathom the severity within closed doors. My parents, by 8 pm, had already alerted that it was getting worse outside. I did not bother much. Work got over at 9 pm when I came out for dinner. Yes, it was raining heavy. I was worried, but little. At 10 pm, I took my office vehicle, a Tata Indica, and headed straight towards my home. I was alone and warned my driver that he can't take the usual route — via Ultadanga— to the destination. But, he claimed to know better. So I abided. As it had had to happen, we ...
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