Worst storm since 1994 leaves a trail of destruction across Mount Abu.

The worst storm since 1994 leaves a trail of destruction across Mount Abu.

Yesterday the telephone department finally restored my phone after a lapse of 15 days. Mount Abu experienced the worst storm since 1994 when it came under the spell of the low pressure that had developed over this region. The storm accompanied by torrential rainfall on the 27th and 28th of July left a trail of destruction in its wake, hundreds of trees were blown down causing a complete breakdown of its power supply, and property and some vehicles were destroyed because of falling trees, tin-sheeting’s over a lot of properties were blown off, even the tin sheeting over the schools bathing section was blown off. 

Continuous tons of rain that fell caused minor landslides, which breached the main road between Abu and Abu Road. Traffic came stranded to a standstill. Thousand of tourists are in this hill station on the 28.

I’m told that it rained around 40 inches in 48 hours. I think this would be a record of the highest rainfall ever recorded in such a brief space of time in this place. After the first heavy downpour, our Nakki Lake overflowed and the Lower Kodhar Dam, which needed to fill 9 feet, overflowed the next day. Paddy's bridge remained submerged for quite a long time.

The students of the school were like stranded prisoners in the corridors of the school. There was no class for at least 4 days. 

For Liz, Jennifer, and me, it was a really harrowing experience. The continuous rising and falling of the water in the stream in front had us in constant fear of the water entering and destroying all our furniture. We were without lights for an entire week. They restored our light on the 3 of August in the afternoon. 

Life is finally limping back to normal. The road is being repaired. Only light vehicles may ply. 




Here are Abulites who took a few snaps during this period.




The stream flooded in front of my house

The rising water in front of the house

It rose to 1 inch in front of our main door 

The road going down to Abu Road

Work in progress restoring the road

Paddy's bridge

Water flowing under the Big Bridge Abu Road