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Anchor & editor, Health and Books, CNN-IBN

Oct 31, 2012 | Closed

How is New York recovering from Superstorm Sandy?

Superstorm Sandy that hit the northeastern US coast on Tuesday has left behind a trail of destruction. There have been deaths, massive flooding and a large number of households are without power. How is New York recovering from Superstorm Sandy? Talk to Amrita, who is in the middle of the action in Big Apple, to find out.

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how do they name storms? Asked by: vipul
Hi Vipul, Thanks for your q -it's a good one and so many people are wondering the same thing + the gender of it all. let me direct your attention to this fabulous (and short!) piece if you have the time! http://bit.ly/Sfnhcd
What are big lessons administration can learn from this disaster? Asked by: Zareef Ahmed
Hi Zareef, There's already talk about what can be done to prevent flooding and whether there should be gates that can be locked along parts of the coastline/ river locks/ so on... Right now they're focusing on getting the city back on track, but there will definitely be more analysis in the days ahead. I think their emergency services have done a fantastic job and a lot of gratitude for them is being expressed.
N.Y experienced its worst in 9/11 . I think the newyorkers are resilient by compulsion. Is there a permanent Disaster management system in U.S to meet the unforeseen natural calamities-sundaram Asked by: kallursundaram
Hi, Thanks for your q's. I think "resilient by compulsion" is a good phrase - and probably applies to Mumbaikars too! New York has a very active and proactive govt, I think with the mayor and his team making the right call to keep people informed and concerned before the storm hit. Federal authorities also offering aid, but New York's admin saying they don't need it as much as other areas (the whole region's been hit, w New Jersey worse affected).
Just saw all the videos, is the worst over? or is there more flooding expected? Is the power restored? Asked by: Saahil
Hi Saahil, Thanks for joining the chat. It does seem that the worst is over - but the storm has moved north now and is still dangerous, it seems... More flooding is not expected and they're working to restore the power and sort out public transport too, in New York and the region.
is there electricity in the city? are there backup generators in your building? Asked by: kim philby
Hi, Thanks for the q's - there is electricity in many parts, including where I am. No backup generators, so I'm glad. And lucky! But still for a lot of New Yorkers- the mayor said a quarter of a million of them - it's going to be a few days, possibly, till power is restored. Some of the buildings do have back up generators though.
For once New york seemed to be the same as Chennai,Mumbai or Delhi with water ravaging streets and cars wading through sheets of water. Why is it that this man made catastrophe due to ill planning is called a natural calamity ? Asked by: sundar1950in
There's actually a very interesting piece on how it's these skyscrapers built on very low lying areas -- relatively newer skyscrapers -- so to some extent you're right to look at the "manmade" angle too. But this was a massive dangerous storm, claiming some 60 lives even before it hit the US...
US $ 20 billion expected economic losses. will this further add to the woes of American economy ? Asked by: sundar1950in
I'm sure - how could it not?
Forewarned they were. What was the extent to which they could protect damage ? Asked by: sundar1950in
Hi yes, and because of that they made extensive preparations, including the shutdown of the mass transit system, and getting most New Yorkers to stay indoors and stock up, prepare for days without power/ possibly water. That was no small feat - esp with a lot of people sceptical of the nature of this given the Hurricane Irene warnings last year.
Hi Amrita, Good day and trust all well. How important is the handling of the Sandy aftermath, important for Obama's electoral result? Asked by: Narayan
That's a good question - hard to say, though both candidates at this point of course making a point to refer to it and it is/has been an emergency situation. President Obama has not been at his camapign ralies, because of this ... so just days before elections, people are seeing him and his administration dealing with this.
Hi Amrita, Can you please elicit, what Indian authorities would need to do better to manage such an eventuality. What would be the learnings? Also could to know would be how the citizens have co-operated with the authorities? I think, it wouldbe good to do a TV feature on the whole thing. Any thoughts? Asked by: Narayan
Hi Narayan, thanks for your q's. Indian authorities have several challenges in such a situation I'm not sure we'd be able to ensure the kind of massive cooperation in terms of getting people off the streets, for one - a lot of the damage was mitigated by getting people to stay indoors. People were constantly informed and staying informed on what was happening too and engaging w their mayors (NJ +NY mayors both tweeting regularlyl) To stop the trains was another huge decision - in such a calamity, it's exactly what's called for. India's disaster management services do need some help... But then look at the difficulties authorities there are faced with. I would add: The flooding and power cuts, alas, are all too familiar scenarios. A TV feature how?
Hello Amrita : as a former resident of NYC, what terrifies me is the clogging of the subway, do you think the water has severely damaged 100+ old subway? when do you expect con-ed to resume power in Manhattan? Asked by: Rizwan alam
Hi Rizwan, Thanks for your q's. I think the flooding of the tunnels has the MTA worried too, frankly - their head saying it's the worst they've seen. The salt water + possible damage to electronic systems too, though the trains themselves many were moved acc to what Mayor Bloomberg said. Restoring power could take 3-4 days, according to reports...