Simple experiment shows how very real risk of devastating floods could be next week

The chance of flash floods throughout extended heatwaves has been starkly illustrated by a easy experiment utilizing three cups of water.

In a video lasting barely over a minute, Rob Thompson, who's a part of the College of Studying’s meteorology division, demonstrates what occurs when it rains after a drought.

On the left, utilizing moist however not waterlogged grass, the cupful of water soaks into the soil inside seconds.

Within the center, replicating circumstances typical throughout a ‘regular’ British summer time, the water takes just a little longer to empty away.

However within the closing clip on the proper, filmed throughout the present heatwave which has led to near-drought circumstances, the water doesn't go away the cup – unable to penetrate the onerous, parched soil.

Dr Thompson mentioned: ‘Britain desperately wants rain to interrupt this drought.

‘However we needs to be cautious what we want for.

‘Expertise all over the world has proven what can occur when heavy rain follows a really dry and sizzling interval that has baked the soil onerous.

‘The water can’t soak in simply, most of it simply runs straight off the floor, which might rapidly flip into flash floods.

‘Should you’re praying for rain, you need to pray for 2 days of drizzle, as dreadful as that sounds.’

The Met Workplace retweeted the publish and added: ‘Dry floor takes extra time to take in water following a #heatwave than if it have been throughout a traditional summer time.

‘This experiment exhibits how heavy rainfall following an prolonged interval of utmost warmth may result in flooding.’

Temperatures have continued to soar throughout the UK and a drought is predicted to be declared for some elements of England.

The Nationwide Drought Group – made up of Authorities and company officers, water corporations and different teams such because the Nationwide Farmers’ Union – is ready to satisfy on Friday to debate the extended dry climate.

There are expectations drought could possibly be declared for probably the most affected areas of England within the south and east, after the driest July on report for some areas and the driest first half of the yr since 1976.

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