THE massive flashflood as tall as skyscrapers that swept the Nepal-Tibet border drowned tourists, pilgrims, workers and villagers, leaving thousands dead and missing. Chinese and Nepalese authorities are still struggling to rescue victims and recover bodies at this writing. Many were found submerged in deep mud that stretched through large swaths of terrain, redrawing the geographic map in a blink of an eye.
For several days, Metro Manila and large parts of Luzon were likewise deluged with continuous and heavy monsoon rains that affected several regions, leaving traffic at a standstill. Massive floods again emerged, displacing thousands of families living along waterways, rivers and low-lying areas. Despite the government’s efforts to prepare for such a recurring disaster, deadly floods again inundated Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, causing panic and frustration to many Filipinos.
The economic losses, as well as the damage to properties and lost wages, are still being estimated. Those whose houses, vehicles and appliances were ruined by flooding are emotionally devastated.
So, the troubling question is: Why do such massive, devastating floods persist? Are they preventable?
This tale of two destructive floods gives us an insight into why such tragedies happen. One was sparked by an extreme natural event, intensified by climate change conditions, while the other was precipitated by human indifference, with allegations of misuse and theft of public funds intended to protect communities from flooding, especially provinces near river basins like Bulacan and Pampanga.
The Nepal-Tibet flash flood was wrought by a natural sequence of events, compounded by climate change and extreme heat patterns. Initial scientific assessment showed that the massive floods were triggered by glacier collapse that sent huge volumes of water and mud into the river system, resulting in catastrophic flooding across the Himalayan valley. Scientists have been warning that warming temperatures are making glaciers more unstable, increasing the risks of landslides and other deadly events.
This disaster was nature in its furious vengeance. It was unprecedented, and beyond human control.
In the Philippines, however, massive floods cannot solely be blamed on nature. Government ineptitude, poor urban planning and endemic corruption in our institutions compound the climate change problem. The DPWH flood control funds scam has revealed how billions of pesos in alleged ghost and substandard infrastructure were diverted into the pockets of lawmakers and contractors, while Filipino communities helplessly drowned in flash floods.
Ordinary workers, students and households have to traverse murky, dirty and virus-infested floodwaters, exposing them to serious illness. The horror of rushing waters from sewers and waterways traumatizes many Filipino families. Despite the government's assurances of safer flood control facilities, people are forced to endure massive flooding during this rainy season.
This disaster is not purely man-made also, because nature has a profound impact on the environment. Yet the scale and extent of damage can intensify through poor governance, human greed and institutionalized corruption. Flooding could have been mitigated if the government had instituted its avowed promise to reform the flood control programs. But to no avail.
The tale of two destructive floods illustrates stark differences. One was nature’s way of reminding us of what happens when we destroy the ecological balance through unabated carbon emissions, causing extreme heat and melting ice-glaciers. The other arises out of man’s stupidity and selfishness. Flood control projects meant to alleviate people’s suffering became an avenue for unjust enrichment by a few, while citizens were left to fend for themselves during the monsoon season.
One cannot be prevented unless the world changes its entire capitalist system to be less dependent on fossil fuels. The other is entirely preventable, if only those entrusted with public funds are more considerate and caring toward the welfare of others.
The tale of two massive floods likewise reveals different responses of their governments. Nepal and China have mobilized massive rescue operations, including the military and emergency personnel amid difficult terrain. In the Philippines, the government launched its own rescue operations, but it was slow, indecisive and the alleged anomalous flood control project continue to hound the noble efforts into controversy.
The tale of two destructive floods is relevant to us Filipinos. The only question now is how long our people’s tolerance threshold will hold before it bursts like the dam in the Nepal-Tibet border. Perhaps, the next flood we should be scared of will not be coming from monsoon rains, but the one rising from the anger of our people, who would finally say, “Enough!”