Manchester council leader clarifies blocked drains not to blame for flooding damage

Manchester council leader Bev Craig stated that blocked drains did not cause the recent flooding in the city. The flooding resulted from heavy rainfall over New Year’s, damaging over 52 roads and local parks. Around 1,000 people were evacuated, with major roads closed. Firefighters helped evacuate residents from the Britannia Hotel and other properties in Didsbury. The clean-up is underway, and some evacuees have returned home. The Environment Agency is working on flood defenses and has invested significantly in improving resilience against future flooding.