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The streets in Oud-Turnhout have been flooded for more than a month

The streets in Oud-Turnhout have been flooded for more than a month

environment

January 5, 2024 16:32

Flooding continues to cause problems: several streets in Poederlee and Gierle were closed because the Aa river burst its banks. The municipality of Lille delivered sandbags to residents of a number of chalets in the municipality. Meanwhile, water levels are falling almost everywhere, and only in the Oude Turnhout region remains a major concern. Some streets have been flooded for more than a month, and residents feel abandoned.

At the end of November, several streets around the Koningenloup area in the Oude Turnhout district were flooded. The reason was the blockage of the river channel due to the accumulation of leaves and branches. The county, which is responsible for management, immediately removed leaves and branches and pumped water from Koninginneloop to Rooise Loop in hopes of resolving the flooding. But more than a month later, there is still plenty of water in areas including Eichornweg, Sprinkahanweg, Boyzrdweg and Gordijk. In some places, the water reaches a height of 20 cm.

Wait for dry weather

Currently, water has not reached homes yet, although that does not make much difference. The people are calling on the municipality and the governorate to take urgent action.

But due to frequent rainfall, the Rooise Loop is now completely full. All the surrounding fields and meadows were also flooded. There is currently no way to pump water. So we have to wait for drier weather. If the weather turns, it is also possible that the water level in the Koninginneloop will drop quickly and pumping could gradually begin.

Crisis meeting in Grobendonk

In Grobendonk, the municipality has now distributed sandbags to residents of 5 homes. Aa is also a danger there because the water rises more. Infusion may be needed.