John Jordan's comment is rather thoughtless, given that people have died a a result of the flooding, and if he is watching News 24 in China tonight (UK time) he will see that hundreds in the Yorkshire area have had their homes ruined. His comment does have some relevance though; we were bombarded with Government warnings last summer regarding the low water levels in the bore holes of the South East.....has anyone heard an update since? Let's get some balance here through the media, because if there's one good thing that can come out of this excessive rainfall it must surely be that long depleted bore holes MUST be getting topped up. Can anyone out there comment with some authority on this?

Al, Buxton, UK

Not taking anything away from the tragedies caused in this flooding, let us not forget that Countries such as Bangladesh live with this type of flooding on many, many occasions ,sometimes daily for months . Perhaps it should make us a little more sympathetic to them as they must have a lot of endurance to live like it, as people of Sheffield will now know. Men,women and children live in stinking conditions in Bangladesh with the added "bonus" of these types of flood on regular basis.

Sergei, London, UK

How heartbreaking it must be for the father. Thank God that your son did not die from drowning. You can take comfort that he did not suffer too much and death was swift. I think that amputation would not have saved him as he would have bled to death and the pain would be unbearable. Somethimes we cant understand some tragedies, but as a father you are commended that your love for your son and would I'm sure exchanged places with him. Let your heavenly Father console you at this very sad time.

mia, Brisbane, Australia

I would like to pay tribute to 13 year old Ryan Parry,who tragically lost his life in the floods.Very like my own son both in age and appearance,lads this age in my view are curious and at the point where they love adventure.

Tragically through no fault of his own Ryan weas taken into the river and lost his life.

RIP son you will be missed

terry, sheffield, south yorks

There is not a power station in the way of any water from bursting of the Ulley dam. I live 2 miles from Ulley, and would have noticed any power station there sometime during the last 30 years.

Please refer to BBC website for the accurate story of the power lines serving Sheffield that are at risk if two pylons are overturned by the floodwaters.

If the Times can't get the details right what hope have we?

Jim Easby, Rotherham, UK

I think the lack of government led mobilisation of rescue teams and support for the northern areas is disgusting. If the thames had flooded in the same way as the river Don I am sure we would be hearing nothing but stories about a crisis and emergency !

This confirms my perception that the booming modern Britain preception provided by the government actually stops at watford. Go further north and you will still see poor housing, ageing industry and unacceptable living standards, while in the south the perception is of a wealthy modernised Britain.

The fact no one seems to raise this issue is a bit like the king with his new clothes, the spin provided by labour has been succesfull in blinkering people's vews if the reality.

peter jackson, london,

Tragic news of that poor man Michael. Sympathies to his family. How about the Government spending the millions on prevention rather than clean-up? Just a thought.

Max D-G, New York, USA

I also saw a tornado on Sunday afternoon, about 4.30pm, above Knowsley near Liverpool. It was high up, so not touching the ground, but was very distinctive. Unfortunately I was driving at the time so could not stop to take a photo.

Duncan Morgan, Macclesfield, UK

It's interesting that when someone is killed in such tragic circumtances all we can think about is jokes about not needing hosepipe bans and our gripes and moans. Let's get real, a man has given his life trying to help others show some respect.

Paul Smith, King's Lynn,

A man has lost his son in heart breaking circumstances. The personal tragedy is bad enough but disaster on a far wider scale awaits the earth and you make crass flippant remarks about hose pipe bans and football teams. Am I missing something? Heaven help us.

Peter Wilson, Bridgnorth,

Ignoring the fact that it was foolish to enter a storm drain during a flood, this poor lad deserved better rescuers. There must have been a better way.

Tim C, Isle of Wight,

Andy Barnes, someone´s lost their son. Is it appropriate to make jokes about the subs in Sheffield Wednesday? Let´s hope you don´t have to go through that situation. How painful, is football the only thing you can think about? What a lack of humanity.

Fiona Shelton , Madrid, Spain

how sad is it that not one of you has tribute to the three lives that have been lost during this terrible time and i especaily dont think the comment john jordan made was approbate seeing as hundreds of people lives have been devasted by this flooding a house pan pipe comment is the last thing on peoples minds! and this is coming from a 19yr old girl!

annoyed, britain,

"Thay tell you thay are doing
everything to stop Global warming,its time thay
though about the British People for once."

Has it ever crossed your mind that stopping climate change may do exactly that? Obviously not. Britain is part of "global", in case you hadn't noticed. It may be that GW/CC is causing this kind of freak weather. Wouldn't stopping it help the British people?

As the Dutch say "please look further than your nose is long" (or as your island is big, in this case).

starling, Lancaster,

I think Sheffield Wednesday's manager had better bring the subs on...

Andy Barnes, Reading, Berkshire

Of course the upside to all of this,is that the folks "up north" shouldn't get a hosepipe ban next month!

John Jordan, chengdu, china

The government is sending more and more of our tax payers money into areas that many of us will never see. Lets sort out our own country first!!!

miles, London,

It makes me think why the Goverment & Local
Councils dont get together to help stop this
sort of thing. Thay tell you thay are doing
everything to stop Global warming,its time thay
though about the British People for once.

Mr B Hughes, Blackpool Lancs, England