The Environment Agency has said it is 'monitoring' river levels in parts of south Manchester over fears of 'possible' flooding amid continuing rainfall.
Water levels are said by the agency to be 'rising' although currently, there are no flood warnings or alerts in force in Greater Manchester or the north west. The nearest in force to Greater Manchester is a flood alert covering the River Dee catchment area from Whitchurch to Chester.
Nationally, five flood warnings are currently in force, including one covering a part of Keswick in the Lake District. The warnings mean 'flooding is expected' in those areas. A total of 55 flood alerts are also in place, said the Environment Agency.
In a tweet, bosses said debris screens at rivers in south Manchester were being cleared, with officials said to be 'monitoring the latest situation'.
"We are responding to rising river levels across South Manchester," said the Environment Agency North West. "Our teams are out clearing debris screens and monitoring the latest situation."
On its website, the Met Office said: "Local surface water flooding is probable today (Saturday) over parts of the South of England and possible but not expected more widely across England. Local flooding from rivers is also possible today in parts of the South of England and is possible but not expected more widely. This is due to rain falling on wet ground.
"Local flooding from rivers and surface water is possible but not expected on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of North West England.
"Land, roads and some properties could flood and there could be travel disruption."
The Met Office has forecast heavy rainfall for much of today, New Year's Eve, in Greater Manchester, although New Year's Day should be drier.
Alerts have been issued in the past covering parts of the River Mersey in areas near Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston, as well as for the River Irwell in Salford and Bury.
Earlier this year, in February, two 'severe flood warnings' were issued in Greater Manchester as Storm Franklin hit Greater Manchester.
The 'danger to life' warnings were in place for the River Mersey at East Didsbury and the River Mersey at West Didsbury and Northenden following unprecedented rainfall.
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