Belgium's southern region is grappling with both snow and precipitation-related disruptions, including minor flooding in some areas, with authorities on alert for more.
Overnight, water flows in Wallonia rose sharply in 13 rivers: the Chiers, the Our, the Amblève, the Ourthe Inférieure, Moyenne and Supérieure, the Viroin, the Haute Meuse and the Meuse Moyenne, the Eau d'heure, the Eau Noire, the Haute Lesse, the Lhomme and their tributaries.
Caution is therefore "paramount" in the vicinity of these rivers, as they could burst their banks and cause flooding affecting local residents and infrastructure.
Around twenty rivers are also approaching flood stage, but remain on pre-alert for the time being. These include the Vesdre in eastern Belgium, the Senne, the Escaut, the Semois and the Sambre. The Namur police have reported that the Sambre and Meuse rivers are overflowing "in several places".
As a result, several towpaths are closed to both car and pedestrian traffic. For safety reasons, the forces of law and order are reminding people not to cross places with blocked access, and are urging anyone parked in these areas to move their vehicle as quickly as possible.
'Overflows not ruled out'
"The Water Levels should continue to increase slowly before stabilising during the course of the day," estimates the Rain Expertise Unit of the Walloon Public Service. "A fall in water levels is expected in the smaller rivers from Thursday, while it will be Friday or even Saturday before the larger rivers begin to recede."
As far as dams are concerned, the situation is stable or under control. In addition, all flood control structures (such as temporary immersion zones, for example) "are operational". However, localised overflows cannot be ruled out, as "these infrastructures are not designed to offer absolute protection."
Handout pictures released on Thursday 09 January 2025, by Dinaphi rescue zone shows heavy flood in a camping, in Couvin. Credit: Belga / Dinaphi
As for homes, the unit advises that they should be protected by laying out sandbags or planks, for example. It is also recommended that garden furniture and other objects placed outdoors should be secured. Clear gutters, downpipes and gutters can also help combat the risk of flooding.
According to the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM), the snowfall or slush over the centre and north-west of the country will move towards the south-east and replace the rain over the Ardennes.
During the afternoon, the wintry precipitation is slowly leaving the eastern half of Belgium towards Germany. The weather will gradually become drier in the evening and during the night. On Friday, the weather will be dry and cold all over the country.
Travel disruptions
The Liège region, which was on orange alert, is experiencing the biggest disruption. Most bus routes in the Liège-Verviers area are cancelled on Thursday due to winter conditions, the Walloon public transport company TEC.
There is disruption throughout Wallonia. The TEC activated its emergency weather plan in all Walloon provinces due to the weather conditions and snowfall. Around noon, almost all services in Liège-Verviers were cancelled pending better weather.
Routes have also been cancelled in Walloon Brabant, Charleroi, Mons-Borinage, Hainaut, Namur and Luxembourg and there are many diversions.
