City flooded by torrential rain

Torrential rain in Northern Ireland has left several homes in the region flooded.

One of the worst-hit areas was East Belfast - which was battered by rain. Severe flooding was also reported in Bangor and Newtownards in Co Down.

Householders were issued with sandbags and plastic flood sheet defenders in a bid to stay dry after their homes had been caught in rising waters.

Motorists were urged by police to be careful on the roads.

The Belmont, Sydenham and lower Ravenhill Road areas of Belfast were badly hit after an afternoon of heavy showers.

In recent summers, Belfast has flooded regularly and claims that the city has an unsatisfactory drainage system have resurfaced.

Freak rain storms submerged a new motorway underpass under 20 feet of water last August.

Belfast Lord Mayor and Alliance MLA Naomi Long said the city must do more to fight flooding.

She added: "Over the course of the last two to three years I have been in repeated contact with the Department for Regional Development, the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of the Environment in relation to extensive flooding throughout East Belfast in the wake of heavy rainfall."

Get a car insurance or home insurance quote now.