NEWS: UK - Storm Desmond: Schools and hospitals closed as more rain forecast

Schools and hospital services have been closed in parts of northern England as emergency services continue to battle against the effects of Storm Desmond.

Thousands of homes in Cumbria are still without power while the Army spent a second day evacuating people across Carlisle, Keswick and Appleby.

Heavy rain and winds subsided on Sunday, but more "persistent" downfalls have been forecast later in the week.

David Cameron said everything was being done to prevent further damage.

The prime minister is due to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday to discuss the emergency response.

"I would like to pay a huge tribute to all those emergency workers and troops who have worked tirelessly to respond to this weekend's events," he said.

"There has been a tremendous response from local communities too, with people taking in families affected by the flooding."

The government has faced criticism after multi-million pound defences built following devastating floods in 2005 failed to keep the deluge out from people's homes in Cumbria - prompting the county to declare a major incident.

Around 60,000 homes were without power after a substation was flooded in Lancaster. Electricity has been restored to 11,000 homes with the help of a generator while 44,000 more are expected to be restored by Monday evening.

Water supplies in a number of main towns were also affected by flood water and at least 20 schools are expected to be closed on Monday.

In other developments:
Nearly 50 severe flood warnings - indicating risk to life - remain in place in northern England
More than 30 schools are closed in Cumbria, and Lancaster University has cancelled teaching for the rest of term after losing power across much of the campus
Eight rescue centres are open across Cumbria for those forced to leave their homes
In Scotland about 35 flood warnings and alerts are in place with some main roads closed due to landslides and flooding
There are no trains running between England and Scotland via Preston, while road restrictions are in place on the A66 and other routes
An appeal by Cumbria Community Foundation to raise £1m to support those affected by the floods has already raised more than £120,000

The disruption has also led to the cancellation of appointments and routine services across NHS hospitals and services. The Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has said it will only be running essential services.

Cumberland Infirmary and Royal Lancaster Infirmary are being powered by back-up generators, resulting in non-emergency operations and clinics being cancelled on Monday.

Westmorland General Hospital and the Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe have also cancelled all routine out-patient appointments.



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