UK troops on stand-by as more rain predicted

LONDON - Troops and lifeboats were placed on stand-by overnight as heavy rainfall continued to cause mayhem across the United Kingdom.

Military personnel and emergency services were brought in to prepare sandbags, heavy-duty water pumps and rescue centres in North-east England amid fears of further downpours.

Authorities continued to warn of floods across the country, and it has been estimated that the total cost of the damage could exceed £1bn ($2.6 bn)

The Met Office has early severe weather warnings of heavy rain in place for the whole of England and Wales until Tuesday.

More than 27,000 homes and 5,000 businesses have been affected by the storms.

- INDEPENDENT