THE Environment Agency today warned that although water levels are falling the risk of flooding returning is still high.

Mike O’Neill, operations manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The River Itchen flows at Easton have reduced from a peak of 15 tonnes per second last week to around 13 tonnes per second this morning (February 18).

“The reduction in the height of the water levels in Water Lane and Park Avenue is partly due to the reduced flows but also down to the multi agency effort to reduce the risk of flooding to around 100 properties in Winchester city. This is a combination of the work the Environment Agency and army have done by lowering bags from the M3 and A34 bridges upstream of Winchester, as well as the Hampshire Fire and Rescue pumping operation and the sluice operation carried out by Winchester City Council.

“The river remains very responsive to even small amounts of rainfall, we would urge members of the public and businesses to continue to remain on alert as the risk of flooding continues. Although not as intense as the last few weeks there is still some rain forecast over the coming days.”