The Gathering storm

THE GATHERING STORM The flash flood of the Final Day will bring some human beings to Hell’s doorstep, while it will usher others to the gates of Paradise. on august 11th, 1979, a flash flood struck Maurvi in Gujarat, leaving behind total devastation. due to heavy rain, the water level rose so high in a massive dam on the settlement bank that the dam broke. one who witnessed it said, “about 20 feet high walls of water entered the settlement with such high velocity that no one could escape their onslaught. having destroyed all animate and inanimate objects, this floodwater receded as suddenly as it came.” it is estimated that, out of a total population of about 40,000, as many as 25,000 died in this flash flood. The extent of the destruction can be gauged from the fact that, besides public contributions, the central government immediately released five crore rupees as an aid to the government of Gujarat. arun Kumar, a reporter for the Hindustan Times, published an eye-witness report in which he said the survivors had a woeful tale to tell. still, in the grip of the shock and suffering the flood inflicted upon them, he wrote: “some have lost their speech and look dazed and blank” (august 19, 1979). another report (august 20, 1979) recounts how overjoyed a ruined landlord was when he was handed over rs. 18,000 in cash and gold ornaments weighing 225