1722 helpline activated as heavy rain hits Belgium

Belgium has activated its storm and flood helpline as heavy rain crosses the southern half of the country throughout Wednesday and overnight.

The 1722 helpline is for weather-related non-urgent incidents such as flooded cellars or a fallen tree, where there is no threat to life.

These cases can also be logged online using the website www.1722.be

The phone line is intended to free up the emergency number 112 for genuine urgent incidents that are potentially life-threatening.

In Flemish Brabant and the Brussels region, up to 40mm of rain is forecast locally over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind.

Heavy rain is also forecast for Walloon Brabant, Namur and Liège and Luxembourg provinces, where an orange alert is in place until this evening.

Calmer weather is expected for Thursday, with occasional showers and noticeably lower daytime temperatures ranging between 12 and 16°C.