When I was a child, I learned this simple but profound children's song. The first verse goes something like this: The wise man built his house upon the rock
And the rain came tumbling down
And the floods came up
And the wise man's house stood firm.
It continues:
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
And the rain came tumbling down
And the foolish man's house went "splat!" [clap hands once].
The single clap symbolized the collapsing homes.
One of the most disturbing things is when innocent lives are lost because their homes collapse in a flood. It is often due to the negligence of officials. Yes, it happened in New Orleans. And again in Iowa. And it happens elsewhere -- even in Turkey.
Sometimes officials must act to prevent actions when those who are doing them do not realize the dangers. They are in such desperate situations they can't think straight.
Are you a little upset by the news of the floods this past week? It is yet again, an example of checks and balances not put in place.
A system of checks and balances is needed to protect citizens. Not everyone can live on hilltops. Steps need to be taken to prevent flooding and ensure that roads and homes are not built in risky places, or if they are, to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken during construction.
Many democratic governments and organizations are set up using a system of checks and balances, also known as separation of powers. The intent of checks and balances is to distribute power; it prevents any one branch from having ultimate power, and each branch performs most effectively when it acts in the best interests of the nation.
In many places in İstanbul, slums and low-income areas as well as some major thoroughfares have been allowed to build on land that is at risk of flooding. This past week, we saw buildings that were poorly constructed simply collapse and vehicles tossed about like they were toys.
As we have seen over the past few days in İstanbul and Eastern Thrace, in the European part of Turkey, when a river floods, a lot of damage can be done to homes and the land.
It is too early to know the facts about the floods, such as:
How many people drowned? Sheep? Horses? Cows?
How many acres of farmland flooded?
How many homes were destroyed?
How many industrial and commercial premises were affected?
How many places are without clean water and electricity and gas?
On and on the damage continues…
The idea of having insurance is a fairly new trend in Turkey and more common among the middle class and above. I doubt if many victims of the recent floods in İstanbul and Thrace held insurance policies. Even if they did, they may not have had coverage for floods, which is usually optional.
After one of the worst floods of the Thames, in 1953, caused serious damage to thousands of homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland and major industrial premises, flood defense mechanisms were built and techniques to manage drainage basins and catchments were put in place. Lessons can be learned from Roman history: The Titus tunnel, which is about a mile long, is considered to be an engineering marvel. The Roman governors of Seleucia Pieria, which is now Antioch, realized the threat of floods and decided a channel should be cut through the rock as a flooding defense mechanism, diverting a river to protect against flooding.
This past week, I have been deeply moved once again to see how citizens help one another in the time of crisis. But more preventative measures are needed.
“Are you upset, little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry... I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you."-Charlie Brown to Snoopy. (Comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
