Flooding devastates farmland in Greater Manchester area

Heavy rainfall caused significant flooding in Greater Manchester and Cheshire on New Year’s Day, with a canal collapse near Little Bollington leading to widespread damage in farmland areas.

The Bridgewater Canal, which runs through the region, burst its banks after a night of torrential rain, flooding fields and prompting evacuations.

Drone footage revealed the extent of the damage, with water spilling over into nearby fields.

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This caused a dramatic shift in the landscape, flooding agricultural land on the outskirts of Dunham Massey Park. The floodwaters quickly spread, inundating the surrounding farmland.

Daniel Kaye, from Timperley, was one of the first to witness the aftermath. Walking his dog around 9am, he told the Manchester Evening News the scene looked “like a bomb had gone off”.

He said: “It looked like the embankment had caved in. As I walked along the towpath, the water levels were lower than normal, and then I heard a waterfall-like noise. That’s when I realised the canal had breached.”

© TaylorsAboardANarrowBoat/YouTube

The collapse of the canal embankment also affected nearby properties, leading to evacuations and a temporary closure of the M56.

Fields adjacent to the canal were submerged, with floodwaters extending toward Dunham Massey Park.

Flooding across Greater Manchester triggered a major incident declaration by local police, as residents found themselves trapped in their homes by rising water.

Emergency services, alongside Environment Agency teams, continue to work to mitigate the damage and assist affected communities.

© TaylorsAboardANarrowBoat/Youtube

Flood defences

Floods minister Emma Hardy expressed concern for those affected, especially in farming areas. “My thoughts are with the people, businesses and communities affected, particularly those in and around Greater Manchester,” she said.

Ms Hardy also highlighted the government’s efforts to accelerate the construction of flood defences through the new Floods Resilience Taskforce, aiming to bolster resilience to extreme weather events.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of snow for much of the country this Saturday, with temperatures set to plummet in many regions.