More rain predicted as British floods claim another victim

Officials in Britain have predicted more heavy rain as the discovery of a drowned body brings to nine the number of people thought to have died as a direct result of the recent floods. An Environment Agency official warned residents in the worst-hit areas: “We believe that maybe between 15 and 25 millimeters of rain will pass through the area. It should be out of the South Midlands area and Gloucestershire area by 06:00 tomorrow morning, but inevitably there will be an impact on river levels.”

As well as damage to buildings, many small businesses are counting the cost of the wettest May-to-July period since records began nearly 250 years ago.

With hundreds of thousands of Britons affected by water and electricity shortages, authorities are stepping up efforts to safeguard supply. More police patrols are in place to prevent vandalism and burglary of abandoned homes.

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