Warning as the deluge drags on

HEAVY rain and thunderstorms brought more than two inches of rain to parts of Britain yesterday – with more downpours forecast.

The Meteorological Office issued ‘danger to life’ weather alerts for yesterday afternoon and evening.

Seriously-affected areas included eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, east London and Kent, where disruption was likely.

Forecasters warned of up to an inch of rain in many areas and totals of up to 2.4ins (60mm) in a small number of places. Last night, five flood warnings were issued. Western England was badly hit with the River Brue bursting its banks. Firefighters had to use a rescue sled to help a man who had become marooned as he walked through a field in Glastonbury, Somerset. The River Avon came close to flooding in Bath, with waters spilling on to an adjacent cycle path.

Although the wet weather was due to clear overnight, heavy showers and longer spells of rain are possible throughout the week. In its forecast, the Met Office said today was likely to get off to a misty start, followed by ‘ bright spells and scattered showers, (with) the odd heavier one in the South’.

Another more persistent band of rain is predicted to move into the West later in the day. The front is due to clear eastwards tomorrow, leaving a mostly dry day with sunny spells.

Further blustery showers are predicted for Thursday and Friday, which could be ‘heavy in places with hail or thunder’. The second half of the month is likely to remain unsettled.