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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Forecasters warn of more stormy weather | Forecasters warn of more stormy weather |
| (7 days later) | |
| Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to strike much of England and Wales this Sunday, but despite one of the rainiest Aprils on record environmental watchdogs say water restrictions must remain in place in many areas. | Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to strike much of England and Wales this Sunday, but despite one of the rainiest Aprils on record environmental watchdogs say water restrictions must remain in place in many areas. |
| The Met Office forecast a grim second half of the weekend after a "fairly decent" Saturday in many areas as stormy weather sweeps through from the south-east. | The Met Office forecast a grim second half of the weekend after a "fairly decent" Saturday in many areas as stormy weather sweeps through from the south-east. |
| With expected gusts of wind over 50mph and warnings of localised flooding, it is possible that April, already the ninth wettest since 1910 with 97mm of rain recorded up to 25 April, could yet set a worse record. | With expected gusts of wind over 50mph and warnings of localised flooding, it is possible that April, already the ninth wettest since 1910 with 97mm of rain recorded up to 25 April, could yet set a worse record. |
| Some parts of Britain have so far seen twice their monthly average rainfall but for the south of England – the focus of the current drought – April is one of only three months in the last two years that have seen significantly above-average rain. | Some parts of Britain have so far seen twice their monthly average rainfall but for the south of England – the focus of the current drought – April is one of only three months in the last two years that have seen significantly above-average rain. |
| Scotland can expect a good deal of fine and dry weather in the next couple of days but it will be wet too there by Monday, just as the rest of the UK hopes to enjoy a break. | Scotland can expect a good deal of fine and dry weather in the next couple of days but it will be wet too there by Monday, just as the rest of the UK hopes to enjoy a break. |
| North-east England was among the worst-hit areas on Friday as the wet weather continued to bring floods. Householders in York were warned their homes faced flooding after pumps failed on the river Foss, and train services were disrupted in West Yorkshire. | North-east England was among the worst-hit areas on Friday as the wet weather continued to bring floods. Householders in York were warned their homes faced flooding after pumps failed on the river Foss, and train services were disrupted in West Yorkshire. |
| The Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, warned people to check for flood warnings. It said on Friday 42mm and 55mm of rain had fallen in the south-east and south-west respectively over the last week. "Soil moisture deficits" had decreased in all regions and river flows were now normal for the time of year at more than half its indicator sites. | The Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, warned people to check for flood warnings. It said on Friday 42mm and 55mm of rain had fallen in the south-east and south-west respectively over the last week. "Soil moisture deficits" had decreased in all regions and river flows were now normal for the time of year at more than half its indicator sites. |
| But as the country heads towards summer much of the rain will either evaporate or be taken up by plants, rather than recharging groundwater supplies which have been left very low by two unusually dry winters in a row. | But as the country heads towards summer much of the rain will either evaporate or be taken up by plants, rather than recharging groundwater supplies which have been left very low by two unusually dry winters in a row. |
| The hosepipe bans imposed by seven water companies across southern and eastern England will remain in place. | The hosepipe bans imposed by seven water companies across southern and eastern England will remain in place. |
| Polly Chancellor, the agency's national drought co-ordinator, said: "We've had a lot of rain this past week, which is a welcome boost for farmers and gardeners, and has delayed the need for water companies to apply for further drought permits. | Polly Chancellor, the agency's national drought co-ordinator, said: "We've had a lot of rain this past week, which is a welcome boost for farmers and gardeners, and has delayed the need for water companies to apply for further drought permits. |
| "But with the dry soils most of this rain is either soaked up or, worse still, runs off quickly causing flooding, as we have seen in some areas this week. At the moment mMost of the rain is not reaching down far enough to top up groundwater, which is what we really need to make a difference to the drought. So it is still important that we all continue to use water wisely." | "But with the dry soils most of this rain is either soaked up or, worse still, runs off quickly causing flooding, as we have seen in some areas this week. At the moment mMost of the rain is not reaching down far enough to top up groundwater, which is what we really need to make a difference to the drought. So it is still important that we all continue to use water wisely." |
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