‘Dangerous’ situation in UK village after river bursts its banks

Police in Cumbria in the UK have urged people to stay indoors on Thursday morning after the river in the village of Glenridding burst its banks.

The community, already hit by Storm Desmond, faced continued rainfall overnight as fast-flowing water rushed through the village.

A “multi-agency” response, which includes the military and fire services, got under way on Wednesday night amid concerns that the latest flooding may endanger lives.

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Clean up teams have been dispatched to the village in a “multi-agency” response to the flooding: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Highway teams deployed over 300 sandbags in an effort to prevent further damage, while water will be pumped out of the flooded Glenridding Hotel later.

A council spokesman said: “To have two such significant floods one after the other is a real blow. Emergency services did a fantastic job overnight to support the local community.

“With the bridge having suffered flooding impact twice it is essential that a full structural is carried out before a decision can be made whether to reopen. We understand the inconvenience this will cause but we have to put public safety first. It is our top priority for today.”

In a statement early on Thursday morning Cumbria Police said that while the flood water was beginning to recede the situation remained “extremely dangerous”.

It said: “Cumbria Police would like to urge the people of Glenridding to stay inside their properties to keep themselves and their families safe.

“Earlier the river water spilled over the banks into the village. The flood water is now starting to slowly recede in Glenridding.”

Members of the public have been urged not to walk or travel through any flood water.

Police said Glenridding bridge will remain closed until daylight when engineers will assess it to see whether it is safe for public use.

Until then motorists have been asked to take alternative routes, some of which police warn may only be accessible in 4x4 vehicles.

The Met Office said 47mm of rain had fallen in a 12-hour period until 5am in Shap, around 22 miles from Glenridding.

Earlier, the military was drafted in to help people in Glenridding by delivering food and water.

The flooding at Glenridding comes after a weekend of heavy rainfall and wind brought by Storm Desmond, which has also caused extensive damage to houses and farms in Ireland. Read more here.

PA