Eye of the storm

Over the past few days, the eyes of the nation have remained glued to their TVs as images of surging waves heralded the arrival of Cyclone Phet. But have the pictures provided a true picture of things or have they in some ways acted to deceive? Reports coming in paint a dismal picture of the situation in Gwadar and areas of Balochistan around it. Human loss has been avoided but people confront homes in which water is up to their waists, cutting off of power, water and telephone lines and massive losses for fishing communities. At least 100 boats have been swept to sea, nets and other equipment lost. Shacks have been swept away and with them their belongings. A portion of the coastal highway has been damaged cutting off communication with Karachi. There is fear that water supplies may run out and existing reserves become contaminated by the standing water.

So, why have we heard so little of this? The reasons appear to lie in the intense media attention given to Karachi — where much of the electronic media is headquartered. But this should not prevent it from doing its duty of bringing before audiences the whole picture and not just a portion of it. The celebrations that the storm missed Karachi are inappropriate. There should be a greater effort to stand by Balochistan as it mourns and considers its losses.

The natural disaster has hit those already weakened by poverty. In Balochistan, it is those who live in shacks and huts who have suffered worst of all. This has been true in Sindh too. The inadequacy of the tents and other shelters set up by authorities for people evacuated from coastal areas did nothing to help. In Karachi too rain will most affect those who lack secure housing. The storm has passed. For this we should be grateful. But it has left behind much to consider – in terms of our priorities and our abilities to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2010.