Updated at 2.05pm
MEMBERS OF THE Defence Forces have been drafted in to assist with flood defence efforts in counties Clare, Limerick, Galway and Athlone town.
Two sections of 15 troops have been deployed to Clonlara, Clare, while two sections of 12 troops are assisting local authorities in Ballinasloe, Galway.
Some 30 troops have been sent to Castleconnell, Limerick, and a platoon of 35 troops is now in Athlone, Westmeath.
Troops also remain on “notice to move” in counties Donegal, Galway, Limerick and Cork.
In Clonlara, which has seen some of the worst flooding, local residents left stranded as a result of impassible roads have been assisted with access to and from their homes by Clare Fire and Rescue Service and Clare Civil Defence, Clare County Council said.
Killaloe District Engineer Hugh McGrath told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that even higher water levels are anticipated in the area over the coming days.
“From listening to various sources looking at this data, we’re preparing for higher levels. I’m not in a position to speak, but given the information from the various different bodies, I don’t think we’ve seen the peak yet,” he said.
Emergency water distribution
The National Emergency Coordination Centre warned yesterday that it expects further flooding this week along the River Shannon.
ESB advised this afternoon that the flow of water down the river through Parteen Weir will remain at 375 cumecs (cubic metres per second) today.
“This level of water flow is likely to lead to associated flooding of roads, land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpellier, Castle Connell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick,” the power company said.
The Irish Red Cross began distributing bottled water today at three of the worst-hit towns along the river, Athlone, Portumna and Montpelier in Co Limerick.
Sandbags have been provided to residents in areas most at risk, and pumping operations are also due to get underway in Montpelier.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued two Status Yellow weather warnings for today. A wind warning is in effect for the whole country, while a rainfall warning is in place for Connacht and counties Donegal, Clare and Kerry.
Read: Two weather warnings just kicked in – and forecasters say there’s no end in sight
Watch: Aerial videos show the devastation wrought by Storm Desmond
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