Storm Christoph: The River Irwell overflows following rain
Police are to begin evacuating people from their homes in Didsbury in Greater Manchester as Storm Christoph continues to bring “significant” rainfall across the UK. Greater Manchester Police said about 160 people will be advised to leave their homes and move into temporary accommodation on Wednesday evening. It comes as heavy rain continues to fall across England, with many rivers at “dangerously high levels”, the Environment Agency said.
Amber and yellow weather warnings are in force until Thursday for the storm, which is also threatening to bring up to 30cm of snow to northern areas.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier urged people to heed the flood warnings and evacuate their properties when told to do so.
Two “severe” flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, have been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Mersey at East and West Didsbury, and Northenden.
Downing Street has said Covid-secure facilities will be available for any people forced to evacuate as a result of the weather.
More than 120mm of rain has already fallen in parts of the country, with 123.42mm at Capel Curig in North Wales in the 24 hours up to 2pm on Wednesday.
Crai Reservoir in South Wales saw the second highest total, with 115.6mm, and areas in Glamorgan and Cumbria also topped 100mm over the same period.
The Environment Agency has issued a further 113 flood warnings across England, with 218 less severe flood alerts, mainly across the Midlands and north of the country.
Almost the whole of England, Wales and Northern Ireland are subject to yellow weather warnings for rain until midday on Thursday, with a more serious amber warning stretching from the East Midlands to the Lake District.
UK Weather: Met Office issues flood warnings
The amber alert warns of the risk of flooding and deep floodwaters which could pose a risk to life, and there are further warnings for snow and ice in Scotland.
An amber warning for snow in parts of southern Scotland warned around 30cm could fall in areas above 400m, with up to 10cm likely to accumulate in lower regions until 8am on Thursday.
Train operator Northern said torrential rain and flooding across the region had led to the closure of several rail routes, while others had suffered “significant disruption”.
The company’s regional director, Chris Jackson, said: “Unfortunately the situation is only getting worse and we have had to make the difficult decision to ask our customers not to travel on the Northern rail network in the North West for the rest of today.”
DON’T MISS
Environment Agency warning: England issued over 100 flood alerts [DATA]
Met Office weather warnings: ‘Danger to life’ warnings issued [INSIGHT]
BBC Weather: Flood warnings as two months of rain to fall in three day [ANALYSIS]
Mr Jackson urged commuters wishing to use the service on Thursday morning to allow extra time for travel.
Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge described Storm Christoph as “quite a slow-moving system” which is bringing “a variety of weather” to the UK.
The meteorologist said: “While rain remains the main hazard in the south, further north we’ve got snow and ice remaining a risk.
“The system will work its way through, we are expecting significant totals of rainfall and when you combine that with snowmelt it can lead to localised flooding across the affected regions.”
Source: Read Full Article