Here's an e-mail that's making the rounds overseas. The comparison isn't entirely accurate, because Bombay is not under sea level and had no broken levees, but still, it's interesting to see:
New Orleans vs. Mumbai (Bombay)
Inches of rain in New Orleans due to hurricane Katrina... 18
Inches of rain in Mumbai (July 27th).... 37.1
Population of New Orleans... 484,674
Population of Mumbai.... 12,622,500
Deaths in Mew Orleans within 48 hours of Katrina...100
Deaths in Mumbai within 48hours of rain.. 37.
Number of people to be evacuated in New Orleans... entire city
Number of people evacuated in Mumbai...10,000
Cases of shooting and violence in New Orleans...Countless
Cases of shooting and violence in Mumbai.. NONE
Time taken for US army to reach New Orleans.. 48hours
Time taken for Indian army and navy to reach Mumbai...12hours
Status 48hours later...New Orleans is still waiting for relief,
army and electricity
Status 48hours later..Mumbai is back on its feet and is business
is as usual
USA...World's most developed nation
India...Third world country..
Oopss...did I get the last fact wrong???