An Interview on Floods

We have sent the questions to an expert from the field, as soon as we get the answers we shall post it:

ComCom:  Every year, we hear of floods - Is there a standard definition for - Flood? Is there a quantified measurement as we do in the case of rains, temperature and pressure?

ComCom:  Floods come almost every year causing loss of life and creating misery for poor. Why the floods cannot be contained or people made to move to a safer area, before the flood appears (as the flood comes only in the rainy season, so called monsoon months, and flood prone area are well known)?

ComCom:  There have been many talks of building dams on Himalayas to control the flood and use excess water for irrigation etc in water starved states. What progress has been made to build dams and control flood? Is such venture feasible at all and also affordable?

ComCom:  Sir, we understand Himalayas are growing at the rate of ten meters per 100 years. Has any study been made to see the effect of increase in the height of Himalays and the change in weather pattern, especially rainy season and also to the water flowing in the rivers?

ComCom:  Sir, recently we have read about lakes being formed in Himalayas due to land slide. The lakes thus formed results in flash flood at some time or the other. Has there been an effort to map all the present lakes in Himalayas and spot new lakes formation?

ComCom:  Sir, some people say it is better to stay with floods, as the very measure taken to protect towns and rural areas from flood results in more severe flood - what is your view on this?

ComCom:  Do you see any time in future, floods being completely controlled in India ?

ComCom:  Sir water harvesting is related to excess water available in rainy season. The underground water has been collected by earth through millions of years and is exhausted in last few decades. How is it that the scientific community and all Government departments are promoting water harvesting, hoping that a few years of rain harvesting would restore water table, to a desired level. It does not sound to reason. What is your view?

ComCom:  Sir for the benefit of our readers, could you highlight some of the important steps take by Indian Government to combat flood by way of prevention and disaster management after the flood comes.

ComCom:  Are the floods phenomena to be condemned only - in ancient time there were celebrations - are there benefits due to flood?