It was inevitable that the heavy levels of snowfall followed by protracted periods of rain which have been experienced over recent weeks would result in sharply rising water levels in many areas.
However, there will be concern that the continuing delays in repairing key flood control equipment on Lough Neagh which we report today may have increased related problems in parts of Co Tyrone.
The Department for Infrastructure has indicated that the damage to a huge sluice gate, which is one of five in place on the lough, will be fully inspected when weather conditions permit, and it is essential that this process is completed without delay.
Staff have worked around the clock on serious flooding issues across a range of districts but any suggestion that particular problems have a technical rather than a purely environmental background must always be urgently addressed.
