Emergency services in the UK have rescued dozens of people following floods in various regions. In Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, central England, authorities received hundreds of distress calls, according to the BBC.
Firefighters rescued 59 individuals as cars became trapped in high waters and residents were evacuated from their homes. Nearly 200 flood warnings were issued yesterday afternoon.
Approximately 50 children were rescued from a primary school in Lincolnshire, with volunteers using off-road vehicles to assist. In North Yorkshire, Sky News reported the discovery of a man’s body in a flooded area.
In Ireland, tens of thousands of homes and businesses are without water and power. On Monday, hundreds of schools closed, train services were disrupted, and highways were blocked due to flooding and snow.
Manchester Airport closed two runways because of heavy snowfall. Various warnings remain in effect today, including a yellow alert for snow and ice across Wales and parts of northwest and southwest England, lasting until 10:00 AM local time.
In Northern Ireland, the alert is in place until 11:00 AM, and in much of Scotland until this afternoon. Last week, parts of England also experienced flooding, with some areas receiving a month’s worth of rain in two days.
Meteorologists had anticipated further flooding. The UK’s aging sewage system, dating from the 19th century, combines rain and wastewater in the same pipes, leading to quick overloading during heavy rainfall.
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense rainfall, further stressing the drainage system.
Source: NOS