More flood alerts have been issued across south London amid expected thunderstorms just eight days after previous flooding hit the capital.
On Tuesday (July 20), the government's Flood Information Service issued a number of amber 'Alerts' for areas across south London from Bexley to Kingston in advance of torrential downpours that arrived into Tuesday evening.
The warnings came after days of high temperatures saw heatwave warnings across southern England eventually give way to flood and thunder alerts as the heavens opened on Tuesday evening.
There is a LOT of water here in Bromley at the moment! pic.twitter.com/Ho6by6pAzR
— Met4Cast (@Met4CastUK) July 20, 2021
In total, six flood alerts were issued across south London and north Surrey, concerning the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Croydon, Merton, Lambeth, Sutton, Richmond and Kingston.
Ah the gentle swell of The Great River Raynes Park High Street #flooding #merton #mertoncouncil #raynespark pic.twitter.com/07SQGGhmcy
— Laura (@Pinelauraapple) July 12, 2021
The Flood Information Service statement related to south London alerts read:
"Heavy rain and thunderstorms have brought locally intense rainfall to parts of London throughout the day today Tuesday 20 July 2021. Tomorrow, Wednesday 21 July 2021 further heavy showers are possible.
"While uncertainty remains around exact timings and which areas will experience the heaviest rain, there is a possibility that rivers could respond quickly and overtop their banks.
"Flooding to low lying land, roads and riverside gardens remains possible. Surface water flooding may also affect low lying areas.
"We recommend you monitor local weather conditions. You should avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water..."
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 20, 2021
Isolated thunderstorms across southeastern England
Tuesday 1300 – 2359
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/FeqXwPsDI9
As carbon emissions continue to cause Earth to heat up amid the climate crisis, more widespread flooding and heavier rainfall in parts of the world including the UK is expected.
According to the Met Office, the UK’s climate is already becoming wetter and more extreme weather events are happening:
"The highest rainfall totals over a five day period are 4 per cent higher during the most recent decade (2008-2017) compared to 1961-1990.
"Furthermore, the amount of rain from extremely wet days has increased by 17 per cent when comparing the same time periods," a spokesperson for the authority said previously.
Environment Agency Spokesperson Peter O'Connor previously told Newsquest South London:
"If you're asking the question, why are we seeing more of this? The answer is that climate change is the main driver.
"We are seeing more and more flooding which is connected to climate change."
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