Newry flooding: Newry and Mourne District Council details emergency sluice gate measures in bid to lower water levels

A spokeswoman replied: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is coordinating the operation of the sluice gates at Victoria Lock in line with Rivers Agency advice and have been doing so throughout Monday night and will continue to do so throughout this emergency situation.

"The sluice gates are located within the lock infrastructure and are operated independently of the actual lock gates.”

Asked to clarity precisely what steps with such gates to mitigate against the flooding, she replied:

“The Sluice Gates were/are closed 30 minutes before each high tide and opened again 30 minutes after the high tide to reduce the impact of the tidal surge.

"In addition, the sluice gates were open during the day yesterday (Monday 30 October) in advance of the 9pm amber weather warning coming into force, and then closed at midnight as the 12.37am high tide approached. This arrangement will continue for each high tide as required throughout this emergency situation.”

On Tuesday morning a video was circulating on social media which appeared to show a local man stripped down to his shorts to swim in the flooded city centre.

One local expressed concern for his safety as such flooding normally means that sewage water mixes in with the flood water.

Images were also circulated online of people rowing a boat in the city centre.

However, by Tuesday afternoon the PSNI issued a fresh warning to the public about the dangers of the high waters in Newry.

District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “We are continuing to warn the public to avoid Newry City Centre and the surrounding area because of excessive flooding due to the canal bursting its banks overnight and heavy rainfall.

“I would also urge people to keep away from the canal and the river at this time due to the hazardous conditions caused by high water levels and the fast flowing current.”