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Flood crisis operation launched Flood crisis operation launched
(about 2 hours later)
Residents of flood-hit areas have been told not to panic as a massive emergency operation is launched to get clean water to those left stranded.Residents of flood-hit areas have been told not to panic as a massive emergency operation is launched to get clean water to those left stranded.
Emergency services are battling to deliver supplies to the 350,000 people across Gloucestershire who have been without running water since Sunday.Emergency services are battling to deliver supplies to the 350,000 people across Gloucestershire who have been without running water since Sunday.
Police urged people to stay calm, as there would be enough for everyone.Police urged people to stay calm, as there would be enough for everyone.
Waters have receded in western England, but homeowners near the River Thames in Berkshire are braced for more floods.Waters have receded in western England, but homeowners near the River Thames in Berkshire are braced for more floods.
Emergency services warned the crisis was not over, with thousands of homes still without running water and further flooding expected in southern England. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned that the emergency was "still not over" and that flooding of further properties along the Thames may be "unavoidable".
There are still six severe flood warnings still in place, and water levels have yet to peak in the Pangbourne, Purley on Thames and Reading areas of Berkshire. He pledged to add a further £10m to the current £14m recovery fund available to local authorities to help with the aftermath of the worst flooding for more than 60 years.
Waters move eastWaters move east
Forecasters have warned more showers are expected across England throughout the week, with heavy rainfall predicted for Thursday. Six severe flood warnings are still in place across eastern and southern England, and water levels have yet to peak in the Pangbourne, Purley on Thames and Reading areas of Berkshire.
The Environment Agency said the rainfall could result in water levels rising yet again, causing more misery for homes and businesses. Forecasters say more showers are expected across England throughout the week, with heavy rainfall predicted for Thursday.
The Queen sent a message of support to those affected, saying she was "shocked and deeply concerned" by the devastation caused by the floods. The Environment Agency warned the rainfall could result in water levels rising yet again and urged people to stay alert.
The Queen sent a message of support to all those affected, saying she was "shocked and deeply concerned" by the devastation caused.
Bowsers are providing water to people in Gloucestershire Floods: At-a-glance Life without water Your stories of the floodsBowsers are providing water to people in Gloucestershire Floods: At-a-glance Life without water Your stories of the floods
On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee where the possibility of the floods spreading to London was discussed, as well as different contingency plans for the waters moving east.On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee where the possibility of the floods spreading to London was discussed, as well as different contingency plans for the waters moving east.
A further £10m will be added to the current £14m recovery fund available to local authorities to help with the aftermath of the crisis, the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said. He told the BBC "lessons will be learnt" from the flooding crisis.
He told the House of Commons that the emergency was "still not over" and that flooding of some properties along the River Thames may be "unavoidable". While the flood waters were receding across Gloucestershire, parts of Gloucester and Tewkesbury - the two worst hit areas - remain under water.
In Gloucestershire, as many as 900 bowsers - mobile water dispensers - will be mobilised by Wednesday morning to provide essential supplies. As many as 900 bowsers - mobile water dispensers - will be mobilised in the county by Wednesday morning to provide essential supplies.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
The Army is also delivering three million bottles of water a day, distributed from Cheltenham Racecourse.The Army is also delivering three million bottles of water a day, distributed from Cheltenham Racecourse.
Chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried, 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."Chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council Peter Bungard said: "I'm really, really worried, 350,000 people is hard to imagine, and amongst those are very vulnerable people."
In Gloucester, shoppers formed queues at supermarkets to buy bottled water, while others voiced frustration they found bowsers empty. In Gloucester, shoppers formed queues at supermarkets to buy bottled water, while others voiced frustration.
Resident Peter Bileman said he tried 11 bowsers before finding one with any water in it.Resident Peter Bileman said he tried 11 bowsers before finding one with any water in it.
"One after the other they were just all empty," he told BBC Radio Five Live."One after the other they were just all empty," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
There are fears residents in northern parts of nearby Stroud could also lose their water supplies because a crucial reservoir is running dry. Gloucestershire County Council said several bowsers had been vandalised in the Gloucester area amid frustrations over supply.
There are further fears residents in northern parts of nearby Stroud could also lose running water because a crucial reservoir is running dry.
Gloucestershire Police Chief Constable Tim Brain said normal supplies might not be restored for up to 14 days but advised people to remain calm.Gloucestershire Police Chief Constable Tim Brain said normal supplies might not be restored for up to 14 days but advised people to remain calm.
"It is important that people continue to conserve their own domestic supplies and do not panic in respect of getting water from the bowsers, or from the bottle treatment centres or from commercial outlets," he said."It is important that people continue to conserve their own domestic supplies and do not panic in respect of getting water from the bowsers, or from the bottle treatment centres or from commercial outlets," he said.
"If people act calmly and with patience and forbearance, there is sufficient water for everybody.""If people act calmly and with patience and forbearance, there is sufficient water for everybody."
Power restoredPower restored
As many as 48,000 homes in Gloucestershire have had electricity supplies restored, after the flooded Castlemeads electricity substation was repaired. Up to 48,000 homes had their electricity supplies restored, after the flooded Castlemeads electricity substation was repaired.
ENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire has been one of the worst-affected areas Twins die after flood rescue Gloucestershire water crisis Berkshire river surge fears Oxfordshire waters stabilise Worcs roads reopening Hull flood total is revealedENGLAND FLOODED Gloucestershire has been one of the worst-affected areas Twins die after flood rescue Gloucestershire water crisis Berkshire river surge fears Oxfordshire waters stabilise Worcs roads reopening Hull flood total is revealed
And Mr Brain praised the "super-human" effort which prevented flood water breaching the walls of another of Gloucester's substations, Walham, which serves 250,000 people.And Mr Brain praised the "super-human" effort which prevented flood water breaching the walls of another of Gloucester's substations, Walham, which serves 250,000 people.
The fire service and military are still at the Walham site, pumping water into a nearby canal.The fire service and military are still at the Walham site, pumping water into a nearby canal.
Emergency services are also trying to gain access to Tewkesbury's Mythe Water Treatment Works to return water supplies to 350,000 people in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.Emergency services are also trying to gain access to Tewkesbury's Mythe Water Treatment Works to return water supplies to 350,000 people in Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Up to 10,000 homes have either been flooded or are at risk of flooding in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, according to the government. During the current crisis, up to 10,000 homes have either been flooded or are at risk of flooding in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, according to the government.
Parts of Worcestershire remain under water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.Parts of Worcestershire remain under water and the Army has been deployed to help emergency services provide supplies to people in Upton-upon-Severn.
More flood fearsMore flood fears
In Shropshire, the UK National Ballooning Championships due to take place next week have been cancelled for the first time in their 32-year history because of the bad weather. In Shropshire, the UK National Ballooning Championships due to take place next week in Ludlow have been cancelled for the first time in their 32-year history because of the bad weather.
Water levels in the Thames peaked at Abingdon in Oxfordshire overnight and at Oxford itself early on Tuesday, with residents escaping flooding.Water levels in the Thames peaked at Abingdon in Oxfordshire overnight and at Oxford itself early on Tuesday, with residents escaping flooding.
But there are fears several hundred homes could be at risk further along the Thames in Berkshire, which has already been badly affected, and where water levels are not expected to peak until Wednesday.But there are fears several hundred homes could be at risk further along the Thames in Berkshire, which has already been badly affected, and where water levels are not expected to peak until Wednesday.
HAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY We must now look at proper regional controls and answers for surface water problems Ted Smith, Worcester Send us your experiences
Tim Abbott, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "We are now expecting the Thames to peak in Pangbourne, Purley and the Reading area in the early hours of tomorrow. There could be flooding of some properties."Tim Abbott, spokesman for the Environment Agency, said: "We are now expecting the Thames to peak in Pangbourne, Purley and the Reading area in the early hours of tomorrow. There could be flooding of some properties."
The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one on the Ock in Oxfordshire.The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place - three on the Severn, two on the Thames, and one on the Ock in Oxfordshire.
The water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded in some areas those of devastating floods in 1947.The water levels of both the Severn and Thames have exceeded in some areas those of devastating floods in 1947.
The Red Cross has launched an appeal to raise money to help the thousands of people affected by the crisis.The Red Cross has launched an appeal to raise money to help the thousands of people affected by the crisis.
The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.The Association of British Insurers has said the total bill for the June and July floods could reach at least £2bn.
Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to AbingdonThe Great Ouse: Warnings no longer considered severe from Turvey to Sharnbrook SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Severn: Severe warnings for Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Worcester The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to AbingdonThe Great Ouse: Warnings no longer considered severe from Turvey to Sharnbrook
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Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.Have you been affected by the lack of clean water supplies in your area? The BBC would like to hear about your experiences. Please use the form below to send us your details or you can text us on 61124.
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