At 9:58 AM -0800 12/27/05, Dilip/Dil Deka wrote:
O'Mahanta,
Simmer down, my friend. Do you have to address every issue and every email with antagonism and vitriol?
*** I fail to see the vitriol. Antagonism yes. And it springs
from the well established pattern of attempts at justifying Indian
govt. do-nothing-ism or treating Assam's disaffections with an air of
patronization and/or condescension by invoking lack of 'scientific'
studies, or with comments like 'bhukute' koltw nopoke', or
changes-are-a-coming, or that everything takes time and the
like.
>If plain common sense could solve the problem, it should
have been solved years ago,
*** That is true. It was not applied, that is why all the wrong
things have been
done in the name of flood alleviation.
And wait till I tell you apologists of Indian misdeeds in Assam
on HOW the Bogibeel bridge came about and what its construction
process is doing in its environment. Just like those embankment and
dam building projects in Bihar and Arunachal and elsewhere in India
have been undertaken. Not that I expect to change the mind-set. But
those who really want to know, might find them enlightening.
>Isn't it true that these tributaries
cause flooding when the Brahmaputra is >full and the
Brahmaputra is full in summer starting near Dibrugarh,
**** The Brahmaputra is NOT one river coming out of China. It is
a conglomeration of many tributaries. The Tsangpo is only one
component, albeit a major one. Even if China blocks the Tsangpo in
toto, there still will be floods in Assam in the monsoon, with
increasing frequency as recent history amply demonstrates. But a
Chinese diversion of the Tsangpo will have serious ramifications
downstream with telling effects in B'Desh during the dry
periods.
>I don't know enough to say yes or no
but would like to hear from a hydrologist >willing to teach
us.
*** That is your choice and prerogative. And I rest my case on
that PATTERN of reacting :-).
" Because it is plain common-sense for the technically and scientifically
oriented" -- Plain common sense is not a good substitute for a formal scientific study. If plain common sense could solve the problem, it should have been solved years ago, may not be by the inept Indians after 1947 but by the mighty kings and their men who lived on the banks of Brahmaputra for centuries before. Please don't tell me that flooding started only in 1954 when possibly it was first measured.
"as supported by many FORMAL studies like the one I posted from Waterwatch" -- Though it is informative, you cannot call the waterwatch report a formal study of the water basin and the hydrology involved. It is a good unbiased report that says the solution is not simple and it also asks for a multidisciplinary study of the real problem.
" That is because simple knowledge of high-school, geography tells me that the largest component of water flowing down these tributaries come not from Chinese territory, but from the southern slopes of the Himalayas." -- Isn't it true that these tributaries cause flooding when the Brahmaputra is full and the Brahmaputra is full in summer starting near Dibrugarh, with water that comes from China? If China drains the Brahmaputra water and the river becomes a trickle, will Assam still have a flood problem in summer along the tributaries? I don't know enough to say yes or no but would like to hear from a hydrologist willing to teach us.
O'Deka
===========================================================
Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
At 7:56 AM -0800 12/27/05, Dilip/Dil Deka wrote:
" We don't need MORE studies. We know channelization of Brahmaputra is the only salvation for Assam."
How do you know that? Whose study is that based on?
*** Because it is plain common-sense for the technically and scientificallyoriented and as supported by many FORMAL studies like the one I posted from Waterwatch . See :
"----The solution lies in channelizing discharge of the order of 48,160 m3/s (ref. 12) of the Brahmaputra through canals, aqueducts,tunnels, etc. across the northward prolongation of the Meghalaya block, particularly between Guwahati and Hathimura and other places
(west of Mikir Hills) where identified active faults cross its\channel.
" And it must begin NOW! We know it won't be accomplished in a year or two or even ten. It wioll have to be an ongoing project for a very long time, and not just in Assanm--B'desh too; for the good of both nations."
Why did you leave out China where the river and many of its tributaries begin? If China cuts off your water, you won't have a water problem to worry about.
**** That is because simple knowledge of high-school, geography tells me that the largest component of water flowing down these tributaries come not from Chinese territory, but from the southern slopes of the Himalayas. Major Chinese diversion of water from the Tsangpo could have a serious effect of flow on the Brahmaputra in the dry season, but it would not reduce monsoon flooding enough to suggest it would be part of a solution for Assam or B'desh.
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