The Earth's fury strikes India.(Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service)

The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday, 1-31:

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India has one-sixth of the world's population _ more than 1 billion people packed into a crowded subcontinent. When a flood or cyclone or earthquake strikes, as they have so often in the past century, the devastation can be numbing.

Friday's earthquake in the western state of Gujarat, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, has created just such a stunning disaster. The official estimate is that 15,000 to 20,000 people died. But one Cabinet minister spoke of a toll reaching as high as 100,000 deaths.

With so many bodies still buried in the rubble of leveled towns and villages, and hope for finding survivors fast dimming, India needs help. Dozens of nations and aid agencies, including many Americans, have responded. India will deal later with legitimate questions about unplanned growth and inadequate building codes and how they may have contributed to the staggering loss of life. For now, saving lives is all-important.

The most poignant offer has come from India's bitter rival, Pakistan. The countries have fought three wars. They are building nuclear arsenals to deter one another. But ...