13/07/2009 - London flood `must be planned for`
A "catastrophic breach" of London's river defences might inundate Parliament, Downing Street and MI5's headquarters in half an hour, says Westminster City Council.
It notes that central London has not suffered really severe floods since 1928, when 14 people died.
But it warns they must plan for the worst, because if river defences fail the impact would be sudden, unpredictable and substantial.
A study mapping the likely course of flood waters shows the capital is well protected by the Thames Barrier and Embankment Wall.
But it is likely to become much more vulnerable to flooding because of rising sea levels, higher tides and heavy rainstorms brought on by climate change.
The study reveals that Scotland Yard, parts of Whitehall and thousands of homes and businesses in Westminster and Pimlico would also be at risk.
On a reassuring note, it says the chances of riverside landmarks being swamped would require a one-in-200-year tide, at the same time as the Thames Barrier failing and multiple breaches of the Embankment.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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