VARIOUS: England battles worst floods in decades as much of Europe swelters in furnace-like temperatures

Days of pouring rain have turned wide areas of central and western England into lakes, flooding 4,500 houses and threatening many more. Emergency workers battle to keep flood waters from destroying power stations. Ordinary residential streets in the western English county of Gloucestershire have been turned into lakes with locals forced to wade in thigh-deep flood waters on Tuesday (July 24) as Britain battles with its worst floods in decades. Some used canoes and rubber rafts to get around, whilst others rolled up their trousers and attempted to walk or even cycle through the muddy waters. The Red Cross emergency service has launched its biggest ever operation since the July 7th 2005 tube bombings, helping to get those stranded and the elderly to safety. While England bails out of the murky flood waters, much of the rest of Europe is suffering sweltering temperatures under a baking sun. Twelve Romanians have died in the past 24 hours as a week-old heatwave gripping southern parts of the Black Sea state drove temperatures to around 42 degrees Celsius, raising the total death toll to 30. A previous heatwave in June claimed the lives of 30 people. In the previous 24 hours around 19,000 people had been admitted to hospitals suffering from the heat, health ministry data showed. In Hungary, some outdoor cafes have began using special water spraying fans to cool costumers, as Budapest battles temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, breaking all national records over the past weeks. In the city, authorities continued to distribute thousands of litres of free water to help people cope with the scorching conditions. In Rome, where temperatures touched peaks of 35 degrees Celcius tourists and locals splashed around in fountains to help relieve the heat. In Greece, Athenians are struggling to cope with this summer's second heatwave. A thermometer in central Athens on Tuesday recorded a temperature of 48 degrees celsius in the sun. Last month 12 people died during an unexpected heatwave the country recorded its hottest month in history when temperatures reached 46 degrees. Ozone levels were at a high in Athens on Tuesday but residents seemed more prepared for the second heatwave since the end of June, staying indoors and taking time off work to bear out the heat at the beach. ends

ITN Source | July 25, 2007

Tags:. .bear. .southern. .safety. .western. .struggling