Heavy rain causes landslide in the Glenelly valley

HEAVY rain has caused a landslide on the main Plumbridge to Draperstown road.

The road service is currently working to clear the blockage on the Glenelly Road as the area is impacted by flooding.

West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer shared a picture of the landslide on social media earlier today, saying, “The road between the Plum and Draperstown is blocked and there is severe flooding in the area.

“I’ve spoken to Roads Service who have mobilised personnel & I also notified the DAERA Ministers office about the wider damage.”

The MLA later told WeAreTyrone that work is being undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure Roads service to clear the earth.

Local farmland has been impacted by widespread flooding. Mr McAleer said, “I have received phone calls from several farmers whose fields have been flooded and had fencing washed away.”

Mr McAleer also said the Plumbridge livestock market has also seen flooded.

“While not as severe this time around, it feels like a re-run of the flooding we saw back in 2017,” Mr McAleer said.

He has also heard concerns from local parents about whether school transport will be able to run in the area when children return from half-term tomorrow.

Brenda Morris, who runs Aghalane Cottages on the Glenelly Road, said residents made a “frantic scramble” to get sandbags amid fears the river could breach the wall.

She said, “We have been lobbying to get sand bags out to the area and it never happens.”

Reports of flooding have been coming in from across the county, including in Omagh, Castlederg and Drumquin.

If your area is flooding, send in your pictures to j.kelly@wearetyrone.com.