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Thousands in UK without water
23/07/2007 18:25 - (SA)
London - More than 70 000 people have been left without drinking water as a result of flooding at water treatment plants and rainwater seeping into treated supplies.
Tens of thousands more are at risk of losing fresh water supplies.
Torrential rains have plagued Britain over the past month - nearly 12cm fell in some areas on Friday alone - and more downpours were expected until at least Tuesday.
Officials warned that the western section of the River Thames - about 128km from London - was on the verge of bursting its banks.
Streets turned into canals
Emergency workers were battling rising waters to rescue people trapped by floods.
Roads were submerged and tens of thousands of people were left without electricity and drinking water.
Cars were submerged and streets turned into canals. Thousands were forced to leave their homes and businesses.
Among the hardest hit was the medieval market town of Tewkesbury about 180km north-west of London, where the cathedral and a few blocks of nearby houses stood like an atoll amid a vast stretch of muddy water.
A retired fire fighter, John King, said he saw goldfish swimming in his driveway.
Lifted manhole covers
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced increased funding for flood and coastal defences across the country during a tour of the flooded Gloucestershire region in the west of England.
More than 100 Royal Navy sailors were helping build flood defences with sandbags and trying to improve the drainage by wading into the water and lifting the manhole covers.
Meteorologists said water levels were expected to peak on Tuesday or Wednesday, meaning further water and electricity shortages were likely.
- AP
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