Libya Floods: A Divine Sign

‘Corruption has flourished on land and sea as a result of people’s actions and He will make them taste the consequences of some of their own actions so that they may turn back.’ (30: 42)

 

 

Consider the heart-breaking images emerging from Libya these days... Devastating floods that hit parts of eastern Libya last week killed more than 11,000 people. According to international media reports, the death toll could be even higher – as much as 20,000 – after whole neighbourhoods in the coastal city of Derna were swept away into the sea. More than 10,000 people are missing amid search and rescue efforts. While Derna has been by far the worst-hit city after dams overwhelmed the city, unleashing a torrent of water on it; the storm also killed people in the towns of Bayda, Susa, Um Razaz and Marj, according to Health Minister Othman Abduljalil.

 

 

The water that rushed into Derna was described as looking like a huge tsunami. While the floods were unprecedented, what happened in Libya cannot be explained as purely the result of a natural disaster. The oil-rich country has been mired in conflict since a 2011 uprising that toppled long-ruling dictator Muammar Gaddafi. With Libya divided between two rival administrations, the storm has exposed vulnerabilities in the nation. Years of neglect and corruption, poor maintenance of public infrastructure, and years of political infighting made the country particularly vulnerable and ill-equipped to tackle Storm Daniel, worsening the tragedy.

 

 

There is little doubt that catastrophic disasters are frequently unfolding around the world. Extreme ecological events are unsettling people’s lives in different nations. Unprecedented floods, forest fires, droughts, earthquakes, etc. are leading to humongous destruction of property, loss of human lives, and much suffering. People are anxiously looking around wondering which land is going to be pulverized next in the fury of nature. Is it not time for humanity to revert to spirituality in quest of Divine mercy and benevolence?

‘Days of Noah’ over Kerala

"And indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs: Bring out your people from the depths of darkness into light. Remind them of the Days of God:" (Surah Ibrahim, 14: 5). 

Less than a year back, at the beginning of the present Islamic year AH 1439, Imam Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius made a Divinely-inspired Sermon, cautioning the peoples everywhere about the impending calamities that are about to strike around the world, including the Indian Ocean region. In that Friday Sermon of 29 September 2017, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) specifically cautioned against the dangers from looming calamities such as devastating floods in our times:

“Today is the 8th of Muharram of the year 1439 AH… I ask you to listen to all that I am telling you. From this Muharram 1439 AH to the next Muharram 1440 AH - believe me brothers and sisters - there are a lot of happenings/ events/ catastrophes which shall occur: earthquakes, floods, lots of people shall lose their lives, atrocious crimes, wars/ fights (nations against nations), blood of innocents shall be shed... 

I ask you to take this into consideration and start counting - from the 1st Muharram of this New Year 1439 AH till its end. Write down all that which shall happen throughout the world and even small islands and even all that which is found in the Indian Ocean (and its vicinity) shall not be spared from divine punishment, in the form of earthquakes, floods, great wars which shall be very difficult to stop.

Believe in what I am saying. O Muslims and Humanity at large. Take precautions and stock your food- buy, keep, preserve….”

Speaking against the backdrop of the deluge in Mauritius earlier this year, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) further repeated the Divine reminder: 

“O all of you, you are not safe. No country in the world will be spared, even you who live on the islands. No divinity of your imagination can help you. I see with the eye of my Lord (Allah) many terrifying things that will seize this world....O humanity, the decrees of God will be inevitably executed, and you will see the coming days as the days of Noah...” (Friday Sermon of 26 January 2018---08 Jamad'ul Awwal 1439 AH).

The Kerala Floods

Nature's fury in the form of torrential rains has engulfed most parts of Kerala this week. The land and its people are in profound pain, perplexed by the sudden hardships enveloping them. The magnitude of the disruption of everyday life in the otherwise scenic Indian State is mind-numbing. As one scribbles down this note, the “God’s own country” (as Kerala is known), is battling one of the worst floods in all of its modern history. 

With the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rains for the next two days as well, the ground situation is being viewed as extremely grave. With heavy rainfalls in the catchment areas of major reservoirs across the State and the opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, lives of people in downstream areas have been severely affected, for areas and villages where floods had never occurred are witnessing inundation. 

Heavy water-logging has disrupted the road, rail traffic across the State, and even flight operations at the Kochi airport will remain suspended for the next 10 days. With telecommunication lines down, and electricity transmission cut off, thousands of flood victims remain marooned in their own residences/places without access to essential help. The death toll in the ongoing rain-and flood-related incidents (including landslips) has already crossed 150, with more than 2,23,000 people shifted to over 1550 relief camps across the State. Rescue operators fear that due to the heavy inflow of water, the death toll would go up.