While most pundits and analysts are giving their views about the destruction caused by the floods, Moign Khawaja of Outernationalist.net speaks to the force of nature to find out its views about the catastrophe and reasons for natural aggression of a grand scale. While finding the other side of the story, we discovered many qualms and reservations nature has been confronted with for a long time.
Moign: What are the main reasons of, what many are calling, the floods of the century? Why have you struck with so much vengeance?
Floods: My answer is very clear. I returned to the place that belongs to me – the floodplain. It’s part of my nature. I work in cycles, patterns and shifts. Once in a while I get back to the place that I lost over the time just to assert my natural position and strength. Many people may take it negatively. I don’t care. The tasks I’m assigned to by nature must be fulfilled at all costs.
A man marooned by flood waters, alongside his livestock, in the Rajanpur district of Pakistan's Punjab province on August 9, 2010. Photo - Reuters
Moign: But why such fury? Why would you hurt so many people just to fulfill your natural obligations?
Floods: First of all you have to understand the natural cycle. You have to take into account what rules the nature has made for all of us – humans, animals, plants, water bodies, skies, air, in fact every thing that is part of our planet. While humans act according to their instincts and interests and they’re seen as natural and innate, nature’s acts differently and they are portrayed as antipathetic and cruel. That’s not right. We are bound by our duties and we have the right to defend our existence.
Moign: But still you didn’t answer my question about the death and destruction you’ve caused, victims of which are mainly poor people.
Floods: I’m going to be honest with you. Nature treats everyone equally. For us everyone is equal and we fulfill our duties while keeping it in mind. Sunlight is for everyone to make use of, air is for everyone to breathe, water is for everyone to benefit from, and many things as such.
The people living in the riverbeds, floodplains, riverbanks, meanders etc. are seen as occupiers by us. When we decide to change our course and make a come back, we do so with full force, often without any prior notice. We are the lawful owners of the land and it is our right to use them as we deem fit. We run our own system that is independent of human interference.
Residents of Nowshera city evacuate to safety following heavy flooding on July 30, 2010. Photo - Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty Images
Moign: So it doesn’t give you an iota of sadness when you see that your actions have brought a catastrophe in the lives of millions of poor people?
Floods: I wish we had sentiments. I wish we had emotions like human beings think they have. We aspire to be ‘clever and wise’ like human beings are. But sadly we are not. We are driven by a divine agenda. A wisdom that we do not share with people who think are superior to us or undermine us. We appreciate those who protect and align with us. Those who do not, suffer.
The forces of nature are here on the earth to maintain a complete harmony and establish the equilibrium of life. We nurture and nourish life on the planet and safeguard it in our own ways. The ones who help us and give us protection are our allies. The ones who do not, find no respite.?
A young boy waits for food handouts at a makeshift camp in Sukkur, in Pakistan's Sindh province on 8 August, 2010. Photo - Reuters/Akhtar Soomro
Moign: Explain to us what violations have we, the human beings, committed that invited your wrath and fury? Why have you punished so many of us by banishing lives, property and belongings and destroying livelihood and habitat?
Floods: For years, in fact decades, we have witnessed the violations and misuse of natural amenities. This greed and rape of natural resources has taken place at both collective and individual levels. People rich or poor, strong or weak, powerful or hapless, have been involved in the plundering and destruction of Mother Nature.
For years, you people have annihilated nature’s best allies – the trees. Entire forests have been wiped out and the pillage continues to this day. These trees were for your own defence as they stopped flood overflows and restored the natural balance. They helped mop up the spill caused by the rivers and returned fertility to your soil after bagging it during rains and flooding. But you people did not spare them.
Men wade in deluge near the north eastern Pakistani city of Nowshera on 29 July. Photo - Reuters/K. Parvez
For years, you people stole the richness of the soil from the riverbeds and used it for your own purposes. And it was not a few cart or truck-loads but an army of earth-movers, dredgers and other digging equipment were employed on a massive scale that only weakened the foundations of rivers and left them frail.
You draw our waters are drawn to quench domestic and industrial thirst but what we get in return is raw sewage and toxic waste. The rivers are your lifeblood but you inject poison in them. And still blame us for the damage and destruction?
Moign: I totally understand your allegations and I’m very sorry for your loss and destruction. Do you not think it is unfair to punish people who are not directly responsible for the crime? I mean the poor have no choice but to live on the floodplains and empty riverbeds and make a living by cultivating the land. How can they be punished for something they’ve no power to decide?
Floods: It is the system that is to blame not nature. The poor peasants work for the rich feudal barons and help them consolidate their power. They’re de facto slaves. Generations after generations have exhausted themselves in this vicious cycle but not a single uprising took place that challenged the status quo and fought for their rights. Do the people in Pakistan await a flood that will sweep away feudalism and make the peasants rulers of the land? Why can’t they take destiny in their own hands and bring about a change that not only transforms their present but also secures their future?
An aerial view of a village in central Pakistan submerged by floodwater as far as the eye can see. Photo - AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer
Moign: So basically, you’re giving us a hint that these floods will trigger an uprising?
Floods: I’m not a political observer or catalyst of change. Nature is for everyone to cherish and take care of. It is upon the humans to think for themselves how to harness the forces of nature and strike a balance that ensures mutual co-existence. They should enforce a pact that guarantees the survival and sanctity of nature and paves way for human progression and prosperity.
The conditions of nature are clear. We do not want to be suppressed and tarnished for your vested interests. Our motto is clear. Live and let live! And I think this motto alone provides the inspiration for every revolution and social change.
Moign: It’s nice to Mother Nature so caring to human beings. What measures do you think could have avoided such a catastrophe?
Floods: The land floods have struck is full of inequalities and injustices. It has become the hub of mismanagement, corruption, greed, cronyism, cruelty and dishonesty. This breeds poverty, illiteracy, and factionalism that in turn hatches evils like civil strife and terrorism.
Nothing alone could have saved the country from the massive floods this year. However, short and long term planning could have minimalised the effects. The rivers overflow once every two or three years due to rainfall and other natural reasons. The glaciers in the Himalaya are melting and contributing to the additional flow of water in the rivers. Are these factors ever taken into account? How many times do you see any preparation made in the monsoon season despite predictions of heavy rainfall?
