"Flooding is expected" in Greater Manchester warn Environment Agency as heavy rain causes travel chaos

Trains have been cancelled and there has been chaos on the roads with eleven flood warnings and numerous other flood alerts in place in Greater Manchester tonight (Monday). The region has seen almost constant downpours throughout the day.

Between one and two inches of rain (25-50mm) had fallen in most areas by 5pm with rain continuing to fall and more forecast into the night. Northern boroughs such as Bury, Bolton, and Wigan have seen the most.

Trains have been halted between Wigan Wallgate and Southport due to flooding on the tracks which has seen the line closed "until further notice."

READ MORE: Greater Manchester weather LIVE as ten flood warnings issued across region

"Severe disruption" is also expected on the Northern service line, which operates between Manchester Oxford Road, Bolton, Wigan and Southport.

A number of roads, including several major routes also saw delays due to surface flooding. Princess Road in Hulme was one of several where cars could be seen slowly wading through huge puddles.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain has been in force since 12.30am which says there is a possibility of flooding to roads, homes, and businesses

By 7:30pm tonight (half an hour before the Met Office weather warning expires at 8pm), the Environment Agency had put 10 flood warnings in place.

These included a number covering the River Irk in Chadderton, Cheetham Hill, Crumpsall, Blackley, and Middleton, as well as Bessy Brook in Lostock, Bolton and Worsley Brook in Salford.

The Irk burst its banks in Alkrington Woods in Middleton. Pictures showed how the waters having submerged trees and even an old bike left in the area.

Separate flood alerts, which mean flooding is possible, are in place for the River Glaze catchment in Wigan and Leigh, the River Mersey catchment area in Stockport and Trafford, the Upper River Irwell catchment in Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall and the River Bollin catchment area in Cheshire.

A flood warning means flooding is expected and to act now, and a flood alert means flooding is possible and to be prepared. Residents in the affected areas have been told to 'turn off gas and electricity" if safe to do so and move to higher ground or an upper floor.

Andy Brown, from the EA, said: "Continued heavy rainfall means flooding is expected in parts of Greater Manchester this evening. The Environment Agency has a number of flood warnings in place on the River Irk in Greater Manchester, and a flood warning on Bessy Brook in Lostock.

"These are alongside some flood alerts across the area and in Lancashire as well. We are encouraging everyone to stay vigilant, not to drive through flood water, and take extra care on this evening's drive-time commute.

"We have duty teams working around the clock to clear our debris screens on our rivers and to monitor the river levels and will continue to issue more warnings and alerts this evening."

Forecasters say the heavy rain is set to continue until the early hours when it will ease, and the skies clear with only some light drizzle in the afternoon expected. The Met Office said, "A respite is on the way as high pressure builds to bring a much drier and calmer second half to the week."