NETHERLANDS: An inland dyke in the Northern Netherlands is at risk of breaking as heavy storm and rains continue to hit the country

Record ID: 333207

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: An inland dyke in the Northern Netherlands is at risk of breaking as heavy storm and rains continue to hit the country
  • Date: 6th January 2012
  • Summary: TOLBERT, THE NETHERLANDS (JANUARY 5, 2012) (REUTERS) WATER SPILLING OVER DYKE IN TOLBERT FLOODED ROAD HOUSE SURROUNDED BY WATER CAR DRIVING ON FLOODED ROAD FLOODED AREA, STRONG WIND (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESMAN FOR GRONINGEN SAFETY REGION, COEN VAARKAMP, TALKING ABOUT THE FLOODS, SAYING: "The water level is very high now, which is a threat to the houses in the area. If the water spills over the dyke, it might flood the houses." HOUSE SURROUNDED BY FLOOD (SOUNDBITE) (English), SPOKESMAN FOR GRONINGEN SAFETY REGION COEN VAARKAMP, TALKING ABOUT THE FLOODS, SAYING: "The police has secured the area. For the safety of the people we recommend them to evacuate." FLOODED ROAD, WATER SPILLING OVER DYKE (SOUNDBITE) (English), SPOKESMAN FOR GRONINGEN SAFETY REGION COEN VAARKAMP, TALKING ABOUT THE FLOODS, SAYING: "At this moment we can do nothing to relieve the situation, because of the wind, rain and water coming.. We should secure the area and check the dykes, and monitor them all the time." FLOODING ROAD WITH WIND (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch), FARMER, SAYING: "They asked us to mobilise our families and leave the area. But we don't want to leave our cattle alone as we are farmers. We can't leave our cows to drown here if the area floods." HOUSE SURROUNDED BY FLOOD
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Netherlands, Netherlands
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVADNMZ8VB8OJMZXKCGRPC23VQFK
  • Story Text: Heavy storms and rain continued to batter the low-laying Netherlands on Thursday (January 5), forcing police to evacuate residents in the northern province of Groningen as an inland dyke threatened to burst its banks.
    The dyke, near the town of Tolbert, protects around 200 hectares of farmland and some 50 houses, including 17 farms.
    Police evacuated about 100 residents from the area as heavy north-western winds pushed more water inland, increasing the pressure on the dyke.
    "The water level is very high now, which is a threat to the houses in the area. If the water spills over the dyke, it might flood the houses," said Coen Vaarkamp, spokesman for Groningen safety region.
    With more storms and rain forecast for the coming days, authorities have moved soldiers to the area in case to monitor the dyke around the clock.
    "At this moment we can do nothing to relieve the situation, because of the wind, rain and water coming. We should secure the area and check the dykes, and monitor them all the time" Vaarkamp said.
    Local authorities have warned residents to evacuate the area. But, some farmers have refused to leave their animals behind.
    "They asked us to mobilise our families and leave the area. But we don't want to leave our cattle alone as we are farmers. We can't let our cows drown here in case the area will flood," 65-year-old farmer Fokke Dijkstra said.
    Authorities were forced to take flood prevention measures elsewhere in the Netherlands. Water authorities said they will flood two designated areas to limit risks for the northern cities of Groningen, Hoogezand and Winschoten.
    Schiphol Amsterdam Airport warned on its website that flight delays and cancellations were expected throughout the day.
    The Ministry of Infrastructure warned of high water levels along the coast.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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