Switched on the ‘idiot box’ early this morning to catch up with the latest news on NDTV. I usually do this while having breakfast, and before setting off to work.
They showed the latest headlines about Cyclone ‘Yaas’, threatening Odisha, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and the Andaman Islands.
Sincerely hope and pray that everyone is safe and that the damage is minimal.
However, this got me thinking.
Why in heaven’s name do the scatterbrained broadcasters and reporters have to go and stand out in the rain, storm, snow, and hail to tell us about the weather during a severe storm or cyclone? This happens all over the world and not only on NDTV. I find it rather absurd and quite ridiculous and unnecessary. Which hare-brained boss has asked them to do this?
If an approaching cyclone prediction has been made, or if a storm has already hit a particular area, we believe the weather forecasters. It is not like a pudding, which has to be tested, before being served!
Hence, standing in the pouring rain, umbrella either turning inside out or flying away, raincoat billowing in the gusts of wind, microphone covered in plastic, and the drenched reporter, swaying in the strong wind as if being blown away while trying to face the cameraman, is a trifle overdramatic according to me. If they want to show us the severity of the storm, they do not necessarily have to be in it – just re-position the camera is what I would do.
In addition, what is with all those unnecessary descriptive remarks? Pray it is a cyclone, and we fully comprehend what that means, & the damage it is likely to do. There is no certainty in any case, and more often than not, the details are haywire assumptions and nothing more.
Here are some of them – judge for yourself.
1. There are likely to be strong winds of up to 100 mph or more!
2. All must take utmost caution – the public is advised to stay home.
3. There will be scattered rain in the adjoining areas, which are not in the direct path of the cyclonic storm.
4. Every likelihood of large trees being uprooted, and branches falling.
5. Hundreds and thousands of people living in the area/ eye of the storm will, or have already been evacuated.
6. There will be high tide and there is a chance of floods in low-lying areas.
7. Thatched roofs will face a lot of damage – also a chance of major roof and siding damage is anticipated.
8. The public is warned to be aware of flying debris. This could include but are not restricted to tin sheds, large bins, advertisement banners, etc
9. Howling winds will accompany this violent storm.
10. Power outages are likely as power poles and lines may be damaged.
11. The rain will, in all probability, be accompanied by thunder and lightning, which will streak across the sky and be quite a spectacle.
12. Trains and buses will not ply while the cyclone is raging.
13. Mobile homes, shopping centers, and apartments may face moderate to severe damage in so and so areas.
14. Fishermen are advised to stay away from the stormy sea- most have already moored their boats, which is a wise move.
15. The report is peppered frequently with terms like the destructive storm, raging, severe, tempestuous, relentless, deluge, and dangerous words.
16. The authorities will continue to monitor the situation.
“Storms will cause the heavens to drum
And Lightning to take center stage
Heroes and villains will hide away and no children will be out at play
Newsreaders will continue to saunter and cavort in the mighty squall
And live to amuse us, on yet another day” MG
Such are the idiosyncrasies of the modern world, which we are forced to suffer in silence, on any given day.
