谴

Left speech radical (side-form of 言) - anchors 谴 as a verbal act. Specifically a strong verbal one: to reprimand, denounce, condemn. The radical groups 谴 with the harsh-speech family: 责 (reproach), 骂 (scold), 诬 (accuse falsely), 诽 (slander). Tells the reader instantly that 谴 is speech directed against someone.

Right 遣 supplies the sound - qiǎn unchanged. 遣 means 'to send off, dispatch'; the meaning resonates faintly with 谴 since reprimanding is sending harsh words at someone. The common compound 谴责 (to condemn) doubles the censure imagery, and 天谴 ('heaven's reprimand') is the classical term for natural disasters interpreted as divine reproach.