The water levels of the Haute Lesse and the Semois rivers have significantly reduced compared to recent days. This was confirmed on Thursday by the Directorate General for the Waterways, part of the Wallonia Public Service. Whilst the levels of these rivers remain high, the flood alert warning status is no longer in operation for now.
The situation is starting to return to normal for Walloon water courses generally. The Senne and the Dendre (in the provinces of Wallon Brabant and Hainaut) have returned to their normal levels. It is therefore not necessary for their early-flood-warning systems to remain operational at the present time.
However, the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg remain on flood-alert status. This is because the Royal Meteorological Institute (the “RMI”) has announced further rain. This could, once again, swell the levels of both the Lesse and the Semois rivers. The level of the Sure river has decreased compared to previous days, but there remain high levels along the water course, as is the case with the Ourthe and the Amblève rivers (in the Liège province).
In view of the rain that has battered France in both recent days and hours, the Haute Meuse remains on early-warning alert, in terms of the risk of flooding. This is because its flow rate has increased overnight. Paul Dewil, the Director of the Walloon Crisis Centre, states reassuringly, “However, it is unlikely that the Haute Meuse will go into the actual flood-alert phase, as the increase in water level is far too slow to pose a risk.”
We can expect a further 10 to 15 mm rain, with the maximum amounts being anticipated in the south of the Luxembourg province. When the morning has passed, the weather should, once again, become dryer leading to a clear improvement in conditions for Friday.
The Brussels Times
