Bowing to nature’s fury

With reference to “Flood fury” (August 1), it is intriguing to observe that several parts of the nation is currently facing nature’s fury in the form of widespread floods. The flooding of vast areas across the country has become more of an annual ritual. It is important to point out that some parts are still confronted with the problem of scanty rainfall at the same time. The editorial disturbingly reveals that along with lightning strikes, the floods have claimed 85 lives in the last few days in Assam, Bihar and Odisha. There are also reports about the displacement of an estimated 6.8 million people.

Media reports have also shown the pathetic conditions prevailing in some of the “smart cities” such as New Delhi, Bengaluru and Gurgaon soon after rainfall, which reflect the abject failure of the respective administrations. The prolonged traffic jam faced by motorists in Gurgaon was unprecedented, and left the state government red-faced owing to its inability to resolve the problem soon. Instead of addressing the root causes, a war of words gained momentum between the Delhi and Haryana governments.

It goes without saying that coordination between the Centre and states on such vital issues has remained elusive. All that we find are some face-saving statements that only make headlines with the sole intent of temporarily putting at rest any public outcry. The best excuse occasionally offered by the powers that be is: What can the government do when faced with nature, and there is no option but to submit to God’s wishes. This can happen only in India.

S Kumar New Delhi