Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has said there needs to be a greater drawdown of water during periods of dry weather to help prevent a repeat of the floods which swept across Powys this month.

He has called on the Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency and Hafren Dyfrdwy to put in place measures which will better manage local reservoirs.

Mr George said: “The recent appalling weather conditions have once again exposed the failure in operational arrangements and flood risk management at Clywedog and Lake Vyrnwy which has resulted in both reservoirs overflowing, the consequence of which has been downstream flooding.

He added: “Over a number of years, I have spoken of the necessity of a long term solution to resolve the flooding issues which causes so much frustration and consternation for local residents and farmers, but the recent storms have again demonstrated that not enough has been done to improve the flood risk management arrangements in spite of earlier commitments to discuss the section 20 operating agreement that is currently in place, to provide greater flood attenuation.”

Keith Ivens, Operations Manager for Flood Risk and Water Management, Natural Resources Wales said: “NRW is very aware of the concern in the local community about these reservoirs.

“We meet directly with community representatives at the Vyrnwy and Clywedog Liaison Group to discuss on-going issues.

“The recent exceptional wet weather has restricted what releases can be made without jeopardising the safety of downstream communities.

“We are working with the Environment Agency and Hafren Dyfrdwy to look at ways of managing the release of water in future. Our officers, as well as those from partner agencies, will meet with the Welsh Assembly Member, Russell George next month.”