LONDON, Jan 15 (APP)- Stormy weather Tuesday battered much of UK, particularly England and Wales as a Greek registered cargo ship sank off the coast of Devon but without the loss of any lives.
Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds began lashing western England overnight and the authorities have issued severe flood warning which could see a repeat of July 2007’s floods devastation.
The Environment Agency has issued 48 flood warnings while Defences have either being built or strengthened in many areas as severe gales with speed of 60 mph struck much of west and south-east England including London.
The weather experts have predicted flash floods across areas of England and Wales, with up to 25mm of rainfall is expected.
More than 4,000 homes and 500 businesses across Gloucestershire in western England were affected by last year’s floods. The severe weather conditions have also disrupted transportation with flight delays, slow traffic on the motorway and cancelled train services on certain routes.
The Coast guards said the stricken cargo ship ‘Ice Prince’ went down a day after its crew was rescued. The ship shed much of its load of 5,260 tonnes of sawn timber. It began listing after experiencing difficulties on Sunday night during an earlier storm when the waves reached nine feet.