London weather: Why you might get flooded even if there’s been no rain in days

Flood alerts have been issued for London with excessive river ranges throughout a part of the capital.

Despite this warning, the Met Office predicted solely ‘some mild rain, and some showers in the southeast’.

While flood alerts are usually issued following a predicted downpour, this isn’t all the time the case.

In reality as we speak, Monday, March 15, such a warning had been made for elements of south west London regardless of solely mild rain forecasted.

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What is a flood alert?

There is a scaled system used in the UK if there’s a threat of flooding these are, ‘alert’, ‘warning’, and ‘extreme flood warning’.

Under the primary, residents in this are instructed to make plans for increased water ranges.

The authorities stated: “Prepare a bag that features medicines and insurance coverage paperwork” and it additionally stated that underneath this stage, folks ought to “verify flood warnings” repeatedly to see if they’re affected advert for the way lengthy.

Under flood warning, residents might want to flip off gasoline water and electrical energy, transfer issues upstairs and transfer household pets to security.

Under Severe flood warning, affected households ought to “name 999 if in quick hazard” and observe native recommendation from emergency companies.

Which areas are affected?

Areas in the south of the capital are most in danger and flood warnings have been put in place.

These embrace:

Richmond

Putney Embankment

Chiswick Mall

Strand on the Green

Thames Bank at Mortlake

A girl steps right into a puddle close to Trafalgar Square, London (PA)

Ranelagh Drive

Friars Lane and Water Lane

Riverside and The Embankment at Twickenham

Towpath under Teddington Lock

While footpaths and walkways are anticipated to flood, it’s thought that water won’t seep into properties.

Warnings will likely be up to date when the state of affairs modifications.

Why is there a flood threat if there may be no rain?

It would not all the time should rain for there to be a threat of flooding, as typically it may be introduced on by moon cycles which might trigger excessive and low river ranges.

These tides, referred to as ‘Spring tides’ are enormously influenced by the gravitational pull from the moon and solar.

It added: “The moon’s elliptic orbit implies that twice a month, the moon, solar and Earth are in direct alignment and create a mixed gravitational pressure.”

Spring tides imply that twice a month water ranges may be increased, and areas in South London will likely be notably affected by this over the subsequent few days.

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