Sameer Rattonsey, a resident of Bandra, captures the sunsets, even as the weather over Mumbai continues to be unpredictable.

The sunsets, in the last three months, have never been more beautiful. Now, that’s no secret, it’s apparent to anyone who has scanned the sky in the late evening hours. 

And it’s been one of the perks of staying indoors during the lockdown periods. With my cellphone, I strive to catch the sunset mood. Will it rain or not in a city for which it is a mixed blessing. One, the monsoon cloudbursts are essential to fill the lakes supplying Mumbaikars with water around the year. Second, the low-lying areas are flooded, old houses collapse, one fears a deluge which cripples the everyday restricted life as we are experiencing it today. 

The sunsets visible from my Bandra apartment are akin to visiting an art gallery, the colours and strokes on the canvas of the sky have never been more brilliantly etched. And when the heavens do open up, as it did on Sunday, the spectacle - admittedly from the safety of being under a roof - is the sort which requires no filters or colour correction. 

The weather bureau had forecast heavier rain through the week. On Monday, it’s fairly dry and placid. Also one never knows: the distant suburbs have witnessed floods as evidenced on a viral video close to the Oberoi Mall at Andheri and shanty dwellings around the Bandra seafront were mercilessly battered by the high tide. 

One news report described the current weather as a ‘yo-yo’ situation, going up and down uncontrollably. Yes, the monsoon has formally set in over Mumbai. Still, predictions are chancy and they have to be accepted. No weather bureau can be infallible or should try to get to the approximations at least. 

Meanwhile, expectedly perhaps the fluctuating weather – the intermmitten rains -- appears to have caused high levels of humidity and have sent viral infections on a rise in the city and its satellite areas. 

In the event, cautionary measures have been advised: drink plenty of water to stay hydrated to flush out the toxins, inhalation of steam can be of help, avoid leftover food and raw salads besides maintaining a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 

Meanwhile, what can one do? Lament the Coastal Road Project on Carter Road, which continues regardless? No amount of protest by concerned citizens appears to have made a whit of a difference to the work under progress. One wonders about the labour force engaged in the task. Are they sufficiently protected? Can they possibly stick to the mandatory social distancing. Our city fathers know best. 

On the upside, the daily sunsets paint the sky relentlessly. Perhaps the most professional cameras cannot do them adequate justice. Suffice it to say that one turns to the words of the Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore: “Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to the sunset to the sky.” 

Because of such tender mercies of the play of nature, one can only hope for a better tomorrow.