Floods wreak havoc after Storm Frank hit Scotland, N Ireland, England

Days of devastating deluge and Storm Frank have forced British authorities to maintain flood alerts and warnings across the country.

According to the Met Office, there were 143 flood alerts and 95 warnings, with at least two as severe, in place on Thursday. Over 60 warnings remained intact in Scotland alone where Storm Frank left a trail of destruction on Wednesday.

Rain and stormy weather in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England have already forced hundreds of people to flee while thousands of homes remain without electricity. Police in Scotland have confirmed they recovered the body of a kayaker who got into difficulties on the river Findhorn, near Inverness on Wednesday.

The body was recovered early on Thursday with assistance of the coastguard.   

Fresh thundery showers are expected later on Thursday but forecasters say they are unlikely to have major impact on already beleaguered homes. However, the new deluge may hamper efforts to shore up defenses in the flood-hit areas.

In England and Wales, more than 30 flood warnings and over 130 lower level alerts are in force. Emergency crews are also trying to clear some 270 roads blocked by fallen trees.

North-west England has been hit by some of the worst floods in recent days. On Monday, authorities sent hundreds of soldiers to Lancashire, Yorkshire and Leeds which are among the worst hit regions.

Many rivers have burst their banks adding to waters already reaching up to windows of first floor in some areas.  About 100 people spend the night in temporary accommodation after the river Dee in Aberdeenshire burst its banks late on Wednesday. The river had reached its highest level since 1928.

The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is to visit the south of Scotland to assess the damage in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

‘Government criticized’

Earlier this week, a number of British MPs and councilors accused Prime Minister David Cameron of creating a north-south divide while giving in financial support for flood-prevention scheme in the country.

The criticism came as Britain was hit by a second major flooding after Storm Desmond caused chaos in many towns and villages in early December.

Officials say the cost of winter floods could top 5-billion pounds as many affected families and businesses lack proper insurance. The prime minister defended his flood investment. But lawmakers from the north say Cameron must get the funding situation equalized for each constituency.

‘Record temperature’

According to the Met Office, this December has been record breaking with respect to temperature and rainfall.

Provisional statistics show the temperature reached to 8 degree Celsius through December which was almost double the long-term average.  

The previous record was 6.9 degree Celsius in 1934.

Rainfall-wise, December has also been the wettest on record for Scotland and for Wales. The two places saw 333mm and 321mm of rain respectively which were more than a third of the December average.

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