August 30, 2025

Of all things in nature, water is the most powerful and fearsome. It beats the shores with endless waves, rages in muddy rivers, and even sits quietly yet mysteriously in calm ponds. The writer recalls feeling dizzy while looking down at the slow-moving Thames river in London. But now, as India faces the heaviest monsoon in decades, respect for water's power grows even stronger. This week, the Himalayan region saw nature’s fury unleashed. Roads on mountains crumbled and fell into raging rivers that were once calm streams. Huge concrete pillars of bridges, built to last, looked weak against the angry, silty waters pushing hard every second. The loud roar of floodwaters drowned all other sounds. Humans and their buildings, bridges, and vehicles suddenly seemed tiny and helpless. Cloudbursts dumped lake-like amounts of water in just a few hours. River gates that usually hold back shallow waters now struggle as massive floods rush through with great force. Trucks floated like cups and cars barely hung on roads that collapsed under the water’s might. Even on a smaller scale, water’s persistence can be seen in basement walls that stay damp no matter how well they are waterproofed. Our ancient Indian texts praised water and its amazing powers, but today many have forgotten this respect, instead trying to control water without care. We humans think we rule the world, unaffected by changing weather or rough land. But earth, fire, air, water, and space – the five great elements – remind us that this pride is false. Wildfires burn vast lands, earthquakes shake daily, and violent storms rage. Still, water is the strongest teacher. It turns city roads into rivers and causes deadly floods in villages. The swelling rivers of the Himalayas warn us that nature’s patience is running out. We have built walls, dams, and barriers trying to tame our waterways for our so-called "development." But water listens to none of it. It flows on its own terms and can break every barrier. In truth, all life shares nature’s risks, but humans foolishly believe we can control everything. Nature, however, yells loud and clear: She is more powerful than us and deserves our respect. She may forgive some mistakes, but not forever. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, no one can deny nature’s incredible strength!

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Tags: Water power, Monsoon india, Himalayan floods, Nature's might, Climate impact, Environmental respect,