Flood Forecasting Centre Opened
The new Flood Forecating Centre will keep a watch on river levels and use this data to predict weather forecasts.
In 2007, Hull, Sheffield, and many other cities were devasted by a huge flooding - during which 13 people died and 44, 600 homes were destroyed- leaving hundreds of family in utter destitution.
To avoid a repeat performance of such a human disaster reproduces, a new national flood forecasting centre has just been set up to warning people earlier and more accurately about river levels and weather forecasts.
What does the forecasting centre consist of and is it really efficient ?
Opened on April 22th in London, this new centre- called 'The Flood Forecasting Centre'- was created to merge of weather forecasters and hydrological experts.
The forecasting centre will have to keep a watch on river levels in the UK and match them with weather forecasts, informing people as soon as possible of the potential likelihood of a disaster. This means that the emergency services, local authorities and water companies can all be alerted before any flooding .
According to Hilary Benn, this centre should set up a new deal between the two most important agencies- weather forecasters and hydrological experts. The two groups will work together to improve flood control and thus reduce the risks of a human disaster.
Benn also set up a draft bill about flood and water management which explains who is responsible for flood management, and it will make authorities more efficient, when and if they have to act.
Helen Philips, CEO of Natural England who shares the same viewpoint as Benn has welcomed his bill. She also puts the emphasis on the fact that positive changes will only be possible if natural solutions are included in bill- such as increasing floodpain wetlands and restoring river channels.
Local authorities warned they ran out of money to deal with flooding at a local level.
According to Andy Johnston- spokesman for the local government flood forum- it is necessary to reinforce the powers and responsabilities of county councils because the central government won’t be able to subsidised them anymore.
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