In this verse, Jeremiah describes the heart-wrenching consequences of the impending judgment upon Judah. The people are urged to mourn and cry out in anguish as the devastation approaches like a storm. The vivid imagery of the land laid waste and cities in ruins serves as a warning of the severity of God's judgment due to the people's disobedience. Jeremiah's words convey the urgency of repentance and turning back to God before it is too late, emphasizing the need for genuine sorrow and contrition in the face of impending calamity.