The Most Precious Purchase: Teaching Gratitude This Dhanteras
Oct 11, 2025By Meera Iyer
For the last few days, parents across Mumbai and Pune have been living with a constant knot in their stomachs. The rains, which we normally welcome as relief from the summer heat, have turned into a source of fear. News updates keep flashing with red alerts, overflowing rivers, stranded trains, closed schools, and worst of all, lives lost. As parents, our biggest question is always the same: How do we keep our children safe?
Understanding the Situation
Mumbai received record rainfall, around 300 mm in just 24 hours. Roads turned into rivers, trains were suspended, and schools were shut. Pune too has been under a red and orange alert, with dam water being released slowly to avoid flooding. While this morning brought clearer skies, the fear of sudden downpours still lingers.
Authorities are working, rescue teams are deployed, dams are being carefully managed, and schools and offices have been told to stay shut where needed. But for parents, every update feels personal. Even when the government says “under control,” the thought of children stuck in waterlogging or heavy traffic sends a chill down the spine.
Keeping Your Children Safe
When alerts are issued, the first step is to accept that normal routines have to change.
- Stay Indoors Unless Necessary: It’s tempting to step out once the rain slows, but many areas remain risky as roads can collapse, trees can fall, and rivers can swell without warning. Keep children at home, entertained with books, games, or activities.
- Talk to Them Honestly: Kids sense tension. Instead of brushing it off, explain in simple words why schools are closed and why staying inside is important. This makes them feel included, not scared.
- Pack an Emergency Bag: Every family should keep a small backpack ready: water bottles, snacks, a power bank, a first-aid kit, a torch, and some dry clothes. If sudden evacuation is needed, this bag is a lifesaver.
- Charge Everything: Mobile phones, laptops, and even power banks should be fully charged before nightfall. Power cuts are common in such weather, and being unreachable only adds to the stress.
Navigating the City Safely
For parents who cannot avoid stepping out, either for work, groceries, or emergencies, extra care is needed.
- Check Updates Constantly: Weather apps, local news channels, and official Twitter/X handles of BMC, IMD, and railways provide real-time updates. Don’t rely on rumours.
- Avoid Flood-Prone Routes: Certain spots in Mumbai, like Sion, Kurla, and Dadar, and low-lying areas in Pune, are always waterlogged. Even if the longer route feels tiring, take it. A delayed journey is safer than a risky one.
- Rely on Public Alerts: Authorities declare school holidays or suspend transport for a reason. If schools are closed, don’t send your child to tuition classes or playdates.
- Travel Light and Prepared: Carry umbrellas, raincoats, an extra set of clothes for kids, and dry food. Public buses may be more reliable than private vehicles when waterlogging is heavy.
Emotional Struggles Parents Face
Beyond safety, these days weigh heavily on parents’ hearts. There is the guilt of not being able to send children outdoors, the fear of “what if” situations, and the frustration of disrupted routines. Some of us must still go to work despite warnings, leaving kids with relatives or neighbours. It’s not easy.
It helps to remember: safety first, routine later. Missing a few days of school or work is nothing compared to the risk of being caught in flooded streets. Stay gentle with yourself and with your children. They need reassurance more than anything right now.
Looking Ahead
The weather department has said rainfall is likely to reduce in the coming days. Mumbai has already seen some relief this morning, and public services are slowly resuming. But alerts remain, and parents cannot let their guard down.
As families, we must learn from these days. Keep emergency contacts handy. Store extra groceries and medicines during the monsoon season. Talk to children about disaster safety, how to call for help, how to stay calm if separated, and where the emergency bag is kept.
Conclusion
Living in Mumbai and Pune during heavy rains is never easy. This week reminded us once again how fragile life can feel when nature shows its force. Yet, we also saw the resilience of people, rescue teams working through the night, neighbours helping each other, and schools putting safety first.
Parents, your role is simple but powerful: stay alert, stay calm, and put safety above all else. Your children will look to you not just for protection, but also for strength. These rains will pass, the skies will clear, and routines will return. Until then, caution and care must guide every step.
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