People of Nuh (as) — severity and warning

فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ

“So, how were My punishment and warnings”.

The interrogative that awakens awe

The interrogative form in His statement — “So, how was My punishment and warnings?” — is intended to evoke terrifying awe and astonishment at the severity of the punishment that befell the people of Nuh (as).

How terrible, serious and dreadful was My punishment upon them, and My warnings to them?

Will the scale and terrifying nature of what happened to the Qawm (people) of Nuh (as) dawn on you and will you take heed from it to change your own direction?!
How real were my warnings that preceded that?!

Allah takes the stories of the Messengers from the past and brings them to life in our hearts and minds in the Qur’an.
Even when names remained the truth about them didn’t.
The punishments that happened thousands and thousands of years ago are brought back to our minds and hearts as if they are happening before our eyes.

Brought to life — in hearts and minds

The ayah calls attention to the reality and gravity of the warnings that preceded the punishment.

How real were my warnings that preceded that?!