Flood warning as heatwave gives way to thunderstorms

Britain is on high alert for flash flooding as the heatwave gives way to heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain on parched ground.

- RORY SULLIVAN

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across most of Britain until late today with a small chance that fast-moving water could cause "risk to life". These dangers will persist in southern England until tomorrow.

There was localised flooding in parts of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset yesterday - the same day as those areas were hit by a hosepipe ban because of the dry summer drought. "There are likely to be more flash floods," Tom Morgan, a forecaster at the Met Office, told The Independent yesterday. Elsewhere in England, a band of weather bringing hail and lightning could adversely affect places stretching from Lincolnshire to Essex, he added.

As well as potentially causing power outages, the long-awaited rain could result in flooded homes and businesses. The National Drought Group has moved parts of the South West, parts of southern and central England, and the East of England into official drought status, while six water companies have imposed or announced plans to impose hosepipe restrictions.