HOLLYWOOD is second to none in producing films of action, suspense and catastrophe. Through marvels of modern technology, filmmakers portray storms, earthquakes, floods and destruction with such astonishing realism that human mind is often left bewildered. The scenes appear so extraordinary that one is inclined to believe that they belong only to realm of imagination. Yet there are moments in history when reality surpasses fiction, and nature unveils a spectacle of devastation that no camera, no scriptwriter and no artificial intelligence can fully imitate.
The recent disaster in Nepal was one such event. When images and videos of the calamity spread across social media, many viewers around the world initially regarded them as scenes from a motion picture or perhaps product of digital manipulation. Torrents of muddy water rushing down mountain valleys, giant rocks tumbling with unimaginable force, and settlements disappearing beneath waves of destruction resembled a cinematic sequence. But this was no illusion; it was a painful reality that descended upon the people of Nepal with the suddenness of a divine warning.
The disaster occurred in the Himalayan region, where towering glaciers and glacial lakes form one of the largest reserves of freshwater outside Polar Regions. Nepal is home to more than three thousand glaciers and thousands of glacial lakes, many of which have expanded significantly due to rising global temperatures. Scientific studies have repeatedly warned that climate change is accelerating the melting of Himalayan ice. As glaciers retreat, enormous lakes are formed behind unstable walls of ice and loose rock. These lakes may remain calm for years, but when their natural barriers collapse because of heavy rainfall, avalanches, earthquakes or rising temperatures, the resulting floods can unleash catastrophic destruction.
In the recent incident, reports indicated that a glacial lake burst in the high mountain region, releasing an immense volume of water that surged down narrow valleys with extraordinary force. The floodwaters carried with them ice, rocks, trees and debris, multiplying the scale of devastation. Roads, bridges and settlements lying in the path of this torrent suffered extensive damage. Families who had retired to their homes in peace and security found themselves suddenly confronted with a calamity that transformed their lives within moments.
Such events compel mankind to reflect upon the fragile nature of worldly existence. Before this catastrophe, life in those valleys moved in its usual rhythm. Yet in a single hour, everything changed. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly reminds humanity that the final Hour will arrive unexpectedly and that its signs and terrors are beyond human imagination. While the exact nature of the Day of Judgment remains known only to Allah Almighty, natural calamities serve as reminders of man’s vulnerability and the temporary character of earthly life.
Indeed, all religions of the world may differ on various theological matters, but they are united in acknowledging one universal truth: death is inevitable, and human beings are accountable for their actions. Catastrophes such as the one witnessed in Nepal awaken the conscience of mankind and remind us that despite all scientific advancement, man remains dependent upon the forces of nature and, ultimately, upon the will of the Creator.
Though this catastrophe was, in outward seeming, a work of Nature wherein the hand of man appeared but little, yet the shortcomings of humankind cannot be lightly dismissed. We have long played a perilous game with the delicate balance of the environment that sustains us. The tragedy of Nepal, therefore, is not merely a local disaster; it is a warning for entire region. Pakistan, too, possesses some of the world’s largest glaciers outside Polar Regions, particularly in the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges. Changes in climate, irregular monsoon patterns and management of trans-boundary rivers are matters of profound national concern.
Indian government of PM Narendra Modi is unfortunately using water as a political weapon to pursue an ulterior agenda to hurt Pakistan economically while nations of the world look on in silence. If the world remains a mute spectator to this injustice, then it falls upon us to take measures ourselves for our own preservation and safeguarding our coming generations. The lessons of Nepal should not be ignored. Nations must invest in environmental protection, early warning systems, flood management and regional cooperation. Scientific knowledge must be combined with responsible policies, while societies must cultivate respect for nature and gratitude to the Almighty. Neglecting these responsibilities could expose millions to avoidable suffering.
History bears witness that civilisations rise when they act with wisdom and foresight, and decline when they disregard the signs placed before them. The disaster in Nepal is one such sign. It calls upon humanity to reflect, to reform and to prepare. If mankind continues to exploit nature without restraint, and if nations fail to resolve critical issues such as climate change and water management, then tragedies of greater magnitude may await us. May Allah Almighty protect humanity from calamities, guide nations towards justice and cooperation, and grant us the wisdom to learn from the warnings that nature places before us.
—The writer is Director General Research, National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad.
