Thus we have a coincidence of three key variables. A period of unprecedented dam building, coinciding with a period of relative low flow in most river systems, resulting in the obliteration of the social memory that people must move back and forth when the floods come. The paradigm of living in harmony with nature gave way to the paradigm of controlling nature. But nature occasionally resists this involuntary subjugation with awesome power as we have just witnessed. Maybe he did, but only for the short-term.
Nature works in longer time frames than humans do.
Sometimes, just as we think we have won the battle to tame nature, She flexes a bit of muscle and throes us off her back again, as if to give a hint as to who is still in charge in the overall scheme of things. Clearly, we need to establish a regional early warning system. This needs to be well coordinated and staffed by trained and competent people. They need data on which to make their interpretations, and they need to process this data in a regular and coherent manner. Then they need to disseminate this in a credible way.