British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that the current floods in the country are likely to get worse, as Britain’s coalition government has faced mounting criticism that it was under-prepared.
“There is absolutely no sign of this threat abating, and with further rain and strong winds forecast throughout the week, things may get worse before they get better,” Cameron said on Tuesday.
“Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed for it will be spent. We will take whatever steps are necessary,” he added.
The floods first hit southwest England around seven weeks ago, but they are now moving eastwards towards London.
Over 1,000 houses have been evacuated along River Thames, in villages and towns such as Wraysbury, Datchet and Chertsey.
The situation is expected to deteriorate with heavy rain and storms on the way by Friday.
Cameron’s government has come under attack for failing to dredge rivers and take other essential measures to prevent flooding.
Frustrated residents in the southwest have also slammed the government authorities for failing to react quickly enough to help those affected by the devastation. Instead, volunteers are seen giving hand to people to come out of the water coming from the swollen Thames.
Su Burrows, a volunteer flood warden in Wraysbury complained that there are 100 people of the village “currently working together, none of them (Environment Agency) agents, not one.”
The flood crisis came as the country’s Environment Agency has had to endure “massive” cuts in its budget since Cameron’s government came to power in 2010.
Chris Smith, the agency’s chairman has said that he had warned the cabinet at the time that the budget cuts would undermine the agency’s ability to defend the country against flooding.
MR/AS/MHB
Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/12/350288/uk-floods-likely-to-get-worse-cameron/
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