Severe floods plunge nation into disarray

No way in or out of rural towns as roads shut and services stopped

Liam Kehoe waist deep in water with his new house flooded in the backround at Caherlea, near Claregalway, Co Galway, yesterday

Residents queue for drinking water in Cork city

It is estimated that more than 50,000 people in Cork city will be without drinking or running water for at least a week

Environment Minister John Gormley (left) Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin and Chief Fire Officer John Reyn (right) assess flood damage at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, where the River Lee burst its banks and collapsed a wall

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery, UCC, which was badly damaged in the downpour. The gallery has brought in a team of conservationists to restore any pieces of art that were damaged after the gallery's basement flooded

thumbnail: Liam Kehoe waist deep in water with his new house flooded in the backround at Caherlea, near Claregalway, Co Galway, yesterday
thumbnail: Residents queue for drinking water in Cork city
thumbnail: It is estimated that more than 50,000 people in Cork city will be without drinking or running water for at least a week
thumbnail: Environment Minister John Gormley (left) Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin and Chief Fire Officer John Reyn (right) assess flood damage at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, where the River Lee burst its banks and collapsed a wall
thumbnail: The Lewis Glucksman Gallery, UCC, which was badly damaged in the downpour. The gallery has brought in a team of conservationists to restore any pieces of art that were damaged after the gallery's basement flooded
Paul Melia

MOTORISTS and public transport users can expect a day of chaos today with roads closed in 12 counties and bus and train services badly affected.

Roads are closed and entire villages rendered impassable because of flood waters which are unlikely to subside over the coming days as more rainfall is forecast.

Last night Iarnrod Eireann said that the Limerick to Ennis line re-opened at 4pm, but that flooding between Ballinasloe and Athlone had forced the company to close the Dublin to Galway line.

Bus transfers are operating again between Galway and Athlone due to flooding, with bus transfers also in place between Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon on the Sligo line.

Although the Wicklow to Arklow line has reopened following a landslide last week, Arklow to Gorey remains closed for embankment strengthening. Bus transfers from Gorey to Arklow or Wicklow are now in place.

All other routes are operating normally. Further information is available at www.irishrail.ie or by calling 1850-366-222.

Bus Eireann said that Galway to Dublin services had resumed on the unfinished M6 motorway, and while services were running to the normal timetable with buses leaving Galway every hour, some delays should be expected.

Diverted

In Cork, the west of the city is still badly flooded so the Number 8 (St Patrick Street to Bishoptown) is diverted and will experience delays. The 234 Cork-Stuake, 235 Cork-Rylane and 255 Macroom-Kilcrohane via Bantry have been cancelled due to road conditions.

All Expressway services from Cork are operating. AA Roadwatch said that roads in 12 counties were closed, with lengthy diversions in place.