Holy Shite - this is frightening-The floodgate that didn't work to stop the tsunami

[malaise]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12801085

[Poll_Blind]

1. OMG what a terrible tragedy! That firechief...what a terrible situation.

PB

[JackintheGreen]

2. Wow. Serendipity, man...

I am finishing my dissertation now of the genealogy of flood management in the former French colonies of India, and this exact thing happened in Pondicherry in the 18th century: a gate designed to prevent or mitigate flood failed, inundating the town. That this still happens goes to the core of one of my central theoretical interventions.

[hardcover]

3. How sad.

That kind of thing happens all the time. I read that New Orleans used money for other things that was designated to upgrade it's seawall. City fathers pull this crap all to often. They've done it in my hometown too. They "chance it" because they really don't think a disaster will happen.