More heavy rain to hit flood-affected N. England

Britain's meteorological department said Thursday that more heavy rain is expected to hit flood-affected areas in north England at this Christmas.

In one of the worst-hit areas, Cumbria, where people are still dealing with the aftermath of heavy storms and floods earlier this month, will face further problems, as more rain will come on Christmas night and Boxing Day.

A mountainside in Cumbria, in the Lake District was moved as a series of landslides have been seen during this month.

"On this section of road the mountainside has effectively moved and is now unstable. The mountainside will first have to be stabilised before work can start on the carriageway to repair the fundamental structural damage. This is an engineering challenge on a large scale," a Cumbria County Council spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a warning of up to 120 mm of precipitation would hit some areas, including Cumbria, was issued by the Met Office.

British government's emergency committee Cobra would meet on Christmas Day to co-ordinate a response to problems, while army personnel would also on standby, according to local media reports.

It said staff and forces personnel of Environment Agency would also be on standby in case of emergency. Endit