Flooding is threatening to cut off the towns of Itteren and Borgharen (near Maastricht) from the outside world. Residents have been advised to leave their cars in car parks outside the towns. Four army vehicles are ferrying people to and from the towns.

Water levels had been falling after the highest levels were reached last weekend. But persistent rain and melt water from the Belgium Ardennes mean levels in the Maas River could rise to 47.15 metres above the Dutch NAP standard (roughly sea level) on Friday. Water levels are rising very quickly.

The two towns were also cut off last weekend, but so far residents have not been evacuated.

Meanwhile water levels in the river Roer between Roermond and Vlodrop rose more quickly than expected on Thursday evening because of rain in neighbouring Germany's Ruhr Area. Fifty households have been given sandbags and told to move what they can to higher floors. The heavy rain has filled water catchment areas and the river is flowing very fast. Water levels in the Roer are predicted to climb higher than last weekend.
(nc/hs)

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