“Flood Warnings Persist as Rivers Surge in Flanders and Wallonia – Communities Brace for Impact”

Continued Rainfall Raises Concerns, Public Transport Disrupted, and Critical Infrastructure at Risk

In the wake of relentless downpours on Tuesday and Wednesday, Flanders and Wallonia find themselves grappling with heightened flood warnings, amplifying concerns for the safety of communities residing along the Lys, the Dender, and the Durme rivers.

According to the latest data from Waterinfo, on Thursday morning, both Lys and the Dender breached safety protection levels. 

While their flow rates are showing signs of stabilization or slight recession, the Durme River’s water level remains alarmingly high, posing an increased flood risk in specific areas.

In the town of Werchter, situated in the Flemish Brabant province, the Dyle River is on the brink of a marginal rise, keeping residents on flood alert. 

Pascal Mormal of the IRM emphasizes the need for continued caution, highlighting that although the heavy rain has subsided, rivers exhibit a delayed reaction to the accumulated rainfall.

Nicolas Yernaux from the Walloon Public Service draws attention to downstream concerns, especially on significant rivers like the Haute Meuse, where flows have reached a staggering 900 cubic meters per second. 

To put it into perspective, this is equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool filling up in just three seconds, contrasting sharply with the typical summer flow of 30 cubic meters per second.

In Wallonia, the provinces of Luxembourg and the Hautes Fagnes are under close scrutiny. The Semois and Sûre rivers continue to rise, with their peaks anticipated by Thursday afternoon at the latest, followed by a slow decline. 

Bouillon holds the Walloon record for rainfall, with a staggering 160 litres per square meter recorded over the past fortnight.

While further rain is expected on Thursday and Friday, authorities anticipate that it may not significantly escalate the current situation. However, a continued call for caution is emphasized, urging residents to stay vigilant.

Transport Disruptions:

The inclement weather of the past few days has led to disruptions in both Wallonia and Flanders, impacting the rail network and public transport. 

Infrabel and De Lijn reported that trains were running normally in the Brussels Region and Flanders, but Wallonia faced challenges due to the flooding of the Mellier River.

The Mellier River’s flooding is threatening the stability of a crucial railway bridge at Léglise in the province of Luxembourg, disrupting services on line 162 connecting Brussels to Arlon. 

Infrabel’s technical teams are conducting assessments to determine the bridge’s stability, which is crucial for resuming train services between Libramont and Marbehan.

Flemish public transport company De Lijn encountered problems, particularly in East Flanders, Brussels suburbs, and the Flemish Ardennes. 

Some stops are not being served, and certain lines have been shortened, prompting De Lijn to advise users to check the application or website for updates.

As the yellow alert issued by the IRM for the provinces of Liège, Namur, and Luxembourg remained in force until Thursday morning, communities in affected regions brace themselves for potential challenges and continue to monitor updates from local authorities.

In the face of these challenges, the resilience of communities and the coordinated efforts of emergency services are crucial in mitigating the impact of the ongoing weather-related crises. 

As the situation evolves, the importance of remaining vigilant and heeding official advisories cannot be overstated.