Amber weather warning for Wales on Monday as flooding ‘probable’

Heavy rain could cause “disruption and probable flooding” on Monday with an amber weather warning in place for south Wales.

The Met Office said heavy rain was expected over south Wales from late Sunday and throughout Monday, with 20-40mm (0.78-1.58in) expected across the wider region and 100-120mm (3.9-4.7in) in a few places on higher ground.

A yellow warning of rain is also in place for mid and north Wales on Monday, with the Afon Glaslyn in Beddgelert, Gwynedd, nearly broaching the garden wall of a house nearby.

The weather alerts come two weeks after danger to life flood warnings were issued and homes and businesses in Monmouth and elsewhere hit after rivers burst their banks.

Both the amber and yellow warnings for rain are expected to be lifted at 21:00 GMT on Monday.

On Sunday, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it expected to issue flood alerts and warnings later and into the early hours as rivers were “already swollen and the ground saturated”.

Officials also urged people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding.

“We also want to remind people to keep away from swollen riverbanks and not to drive or walk through flood waters as you don’t know what lies beneath,” said Richard Preece from the organisation.

As of Monday afternoon, Natural Resources Wales had 11 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – in place and 51 flood alerts.

In Gwynedd, flooding has led to the A4085 being closed in both directions between Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu, and between Pont Aberglaslyn and Llanfrothen.

The Met Office also said strong winds would accompany Monday’s heavy rain, particularly in coastal areas.

Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible, driving conditions could be difficult and there may be some road closures.

Some areas may also suffer power cuts and loss of other services to homes and businesses, the Met Office warned.

“Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life, ” it added.

In Pontypridd town centre on Monday afternoon there were sandbags outside many shops as businesses prepared for bad weather.

On Mill Street, which has been hit by flooding before, pumps were ready if needed – there were also pumps by the River Taff, the levels of which have been high all day with the river fast-flowing.

On Sion Street, where houses sit right by the river, the water level was high but well below the wall that protects the river bank.

It has been raining on and off this afternoon in the town, sometimes heavily, but so far the council says these measures are just a precaution.

But for a town which has been hit badly on a number of occasions, and with more rain expected on Monday evening, people are doing their best to be prepared.

The areas affected by the amber weather warning are:

• Blaenau Gwent

• Bridgend

• Caerphilly

• Cardiff

• Carmarthenshire

• Ceredigion

• Merthyr Tydfil

• Monmouthshire

• Neath Port Talbot

• Newport

• Pembrokeshire

• Powys

• Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Swansea

• Torfaen

• Vale of Glamorgan

Additional reporting by Leigh Boobyer