(Vatican Radio) Severe flooding and landslides have hit several areas of the United
Kingdom, especially along the Thames valley in England. The government has issued
warnings that there is a danger-to-life in many of the affected areas, and the main
rail line to Cornwall has been cut off.
“We have had the heaviest rainfall
recorded ever this January,” said Bishop Kieran Conry of the Diocese of Arundel and
Brighton. “It is affecting people quite dramatically because many of them are finding
themselves isolated, unable even to get food and water. Of course, the water that
is flooding there is now contaminated … with sewage and other unpleasant stuff. It
is not a happy situation at all.”
Many residents have been forced to leave
their homes, and around 5,000 properties have already been flooded.
“It is
not going to go away quickly,” Bishop Conry told Vatican Radio. “There is more rain
forecast for this week.”
Listen to the interview by Charles Collins with
Bishop Conry: