Author Archives: emtiaz.chowdhury

In the Epic of Gilgamesh storm and flood are presented. The New York Times article “Pakistan Flood Sets Back Infrastructure by Years,” by Carlotta Gall is also about flood. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story about King of Uruk who harshly dominates upon his people. Enkidu is sent by gods to stop the terror in the kingdom. After he exchanges arguments with Gilgamesh, they become friends.  Later on in the story, they kill the giant Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. “…I must travel on a road I don’t know! Until the time I go and return, until I reach the Cedar Forest , until I kill Humbaba the terrible…” (A 69). Along the way, Gilgamesh loses his companion with Enkidu. Then, Gilgamesh becomes very upset. The death of his friend leads him to ask a question how to become immortal. He meets with Utnapishtim who obeys the god and was saved by them from the damageable flood. “All day long the South Wind blew …, blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water, overwhelming the people like an attack” (A 93). The flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh is long and cause many destructions. “Six days and seven nights came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land. When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding; the flood was a war–struggling with itself like a woman writhing (in labor)” (A 93).
Similarly, in The New York Times article, people in Pakistan try hard to block the water with stones in order to save their town. Many people had been affected by the flood. The situation is similar to what happen in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The flood in Pakistan makes many people to worry about how they will lead their daily lives including collecting food and water. Thus they are feeling that they are being attacked. In addition, the current flood in Pakistan is very destructive to the infrastructure of the country. This flood has ruined many things in the country including roads, bridges, schools, health clinics, electricity and communications. In fact, the damages that the flood has done affected 20 millions people. 

<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/world/asia/27flood.html?pagewanted=1&sq=flood&st=cse&scp=3>