As Water Rises, So Do The People | How a Village Rebuilds After Devastating Floods | by Nawaz Khan | Inspiring Story #178

I once lived in a place I called the most beautiful place on planet Earth. Paradise.

A place where you’d wake to the gentle flow of the Hunza River; her waters glistening in the morning sun. Outside, towering peaks of Passu stood tall adorned in snow. As I prepared for a day’s work in the surrounding glacier, villagers stirred as people went about their daily routines. Our cattle grazed on lush meadows, and the aroma of fresh breakfast filled the air. My mother busied herself in the kitchen, while father and brothers headed out to the fields.

Every morning I was blessed to wake to this breathtaking scene. That was until the day of the big disaster. We saw it coming but could never be prepared for how fast it would hit and the devastating aftermath that followed.

Disaster Hits our Village

That morning, instead of the river’s gentle flow, I awoke abruptly to the sound of rushing water so loud and incessant, like a continuous roar in my ears. Still dark outside, I rubbed my eyes quickly, trying to shake off the drowsiness. Something was not right.

The river had been rising higher and higher every year. Experts and environmentalists warned us about the impact of global warming. Our glaciers were slowly melting and sea levels rising. But this rushing sound was strong and fearful. Like a warning screamed from the depths of Earth. I quickly dressed and headed towards the riverbank.

The air was cold and damp, and a sense of foreboding crept over me. Like a scene out of a nightmare. The river had risen to dangerous levels. Strong currents, so strong that the ground shook beneath my feet, were breaking off chunks of land at a rapid rate. Uprooted trees were swept away. I stood powerless, frozen with fear in the face of nature’s fury.

Soon the morning light broke over the horizon, and it became clear the situation was even worse than I had imagined. The river had overflowed its banks. The water was quickly creeping toward my family home.

I ran and told my mother that our home was under threat of collapsing into the river. The cattle, my family’s livelihood, who grazed peacefully in the meadow were in serious danger of being swept away by the raging waters. We called Emergency services, and our village was directed to evacuate the area immediately.

As floodwaters rose, so did the people of Passu.

The people of our village gathered at the highest point overlooking the valley below. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth, and the sound of rushing water echoed in our ears. Fear hung heavy in the air. We discussed our plan of action. We assigned one person to check the water flow daily and work on moving property and all families in the region to safer ground. Volunteers helped us from neighbouring villages, bringing food, blankets, and other supplies to aid us in this difficult time. My mother and the other women of the village worked tirelessly to save the cattle by shifting them to another place.

It took hours of hard work and dedication from the emergency services and volunteers to bring the situation under control. Eventually, the river began to recede, and the serious danger passed. We stood back and surveyed the damage. Our agricultural lands, our livelihood, were submerged, and sadly, some of mother’s cattle were lost to the river’s rage. 

The sound of rushing water will never be the same again. I realized how fragile our existence is and how important it is to take action to protect our planet.  And as we face the challenge of rebuilding, I carry with me three powerful lessons:

_Watching my mother’s eyes fill with tears broke my heart, but it taught me the power of resilience and the importance of standing by our loved ones during tough times.

_Our survival depends on animals and nature. It’s up to us to take responsibility for our actions and work towards a sustainable future.

_In the face of adversity, we are uplifted by the kindness and generosity of those around us. People rallied together, and we can always count on the goodness of humanity.

With the big job we have ahead, it's easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed. But we will continue to hope for the future. In the face of adversity, we trust humanity to come together and overcome any obstacles in our way.

May our story remind you that together we are capable of rising above the challenges we face.

Don’t let the floods beat you down. Stay hopeful and summon the strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side. Because no matter how high the water may rise, we have the power to rise higher.  

We keep our heads up, our hearts strong, and we will never give up in the face of adversity. With determination, kindness, and a commitment to sustainability, we can build a better world for future generations and ourselves.