How to prepare for Tropical Storm Nilam

It seems more and more likely that the environs of Chennai would be in the ‘path’ of the Tropical Storm TC02B NILAM.  And here are the preparations I’ve made, today, to face the storm, if, in fact, it does pass over Chennai or its environs.

Before we go into that, I beg the readers to enjoy my moment - an article to actually say, Didn’t-I-tell-you-so?  If you had read my articles as far (as recent) as in April 2012, I had blogged about the native knowledge and how the monsoon would be abundant for TN and the adjoining southern states in October and November.

If you hadn’t read it, no worry.  It is still there, untouched - with updates through June here.  Now, to be truthful and humble, isn’t that post worthy of hosannas to the ‘native knowledge’?

BTW, if ever NOAA, NASA, NRL and God forbid, the IMD ever take note of that ‘native knowledge’ and use it as an input in their climate prediction models, I actually expect, (demand of) them to give me credit.  Oh Yeah!  I do need the money.
:-“>

For you see, it might be native knowledge.  But I think I am the first ever guy to bring it out, prove it, in current memory - and with proof.  I proved the concept.
o:-)<

OK!  Enough of self indulgence and self-promotion.  So here is how I/We (in my apartment complex) have prepared for the Tropical Storm 02B Nilam.

• Topped up the overhead water tanks, so that if electricity is shutdown in the morning, we wouldn’t be caught out.
• (Not that water will be a problem as we have an open well and anyone with will and muscle can fetch clean, sweet water, at any time)
• Ordered and got delivered 50 litres of drinking water in 2 thirty litre cans - so that when my water purifier goes dead without electricity, we would continue to have safe drinking water.
• One Kilogram of Bleaching powder for 3 purposes:
• to drop into the overhead water tanks as a precaution;
• to drop into the Metro Water sump (if it is not flooded); and,
• as a general disinfectant to be sprinkled around the complex after the rains are past.
• Checked up to ensure the dry provisions - normally not a care in India - are there for at least a week.  But being the end of the month, it is better to make sure.
• Stocked up on fresh vegetables for next 3 days requirement.  Not that they would be fresh without electricity and a dead fridge.  Even if I run out on the 3rd day, my roof top container-garden would provide something for the ‘sambar’ at least. /LOL/
• Ensured that there are enough potatoes and onions to last throughout the week - those are 2 vegetables that don’t need refrigeration.
• Brought snacks, biscuits and chocolate and the essential medicines (including the OTC drugs).
• Last, a good, long, interesting, enthralling novel in my Android to pass away the time - for which I chose the Ponniyin Selvan, an eternal favourite - which is available on Google Play Store.  The advantage is that I can read it out and keep my mom (and others) enthralled too.
• :-)

What I completely forgot are -

• My cigarettes.
• :-P

Update (at midnight): -

• forgot to check the drains.  they’re already backing up!  Guk!
• can’t run away too.  forgot the gas/petrol!
• smart and stupid - Yup.  That’s me!

(image courtesy: http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au)

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