British military drops ballast sacks on dam to prevent flooding of U.K. town

A British military helicopter dropped sacks of ballast on Aug. 2 onto the outer slope of a dam that has partially collapsed and is at risk of bursting and flooding the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire. Wing commander Gary Lane commented on the flooding prevention effort. Heavy rain this week led to flash floods in areas across northern England causing bridges to collapse and road closures. Britain’s Met Office said earlier in the week downpours had led to 50 mm of rain falling in just one hour.