Flood alerts remain in place for several villages across Winchester and the Test Valley despite recent dry weather.

Groundwater levels remain high and are continuing to slowly rise in parts of the district, following high levels of rainfall last month.

Levels on rivers such as the Itchen and Test have dropped but groundwater in the chalk rock of central Hampshire is still rising in many parts

Dry weather is expected to continue over the next five days which would allow groundwater levels to fall, but heavy rainfall could return before the end of February, says the Environment Agency. 

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In Bramdean and Cheriton, near Alresford, groundwater remains high but is beginning to slowly fall. Since the level peaked on 26 January, it has fallen by 6cm.

Currently, groundwater will be affecting a small number of cellars in Cheriton and in Bramdean, impacts are not currently expected. Dry weather in Bramdean and Cheriton would allow the level to continue to fall but if heavy rainfall returns, groundwater flooding impacts could become more widespread.

In Hursley, groundwater levels are high and continuing to slowly rise. Since Wednesday January 25, the level has risen by 0.55m. Currently, flooding will be affecting properties in the lower end of the village at South End Close as well as the Dolphin Inn pub. Small amounts of water will be beginning to affect cellars in the upper part of the village and from today, groundwater could start to impact the sewerage network.

Dry weather in Hursley would allow the groundwater level to stabilise over the next couple of days but flooding impacts are expected to continue throughout this period. If heavy rainfall returns, groundwater impacts could become more widespread.

In King's Somborne and Little Somborne, groundwater remains high. In Little Somborne, levels are still slowly rising and in Kings Somborne, levels have fallen by 0.15m in the last week. Flood impacts are currently not expected in either village.

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Dry weather in Kings Somborne and Little Somborne would allow the groundwater level in Little Somborne to stabilise in the next few days and in Kings Somborne, the level will continue to slowly fall. If heavy rainfall returns, groundwater flood impacts are a possibility.

In Twyford and Hensting, groundwater levels are high but are now slowly dropping. Since the level peaked on 26 January, it has fallen by 6cm. Groundwater will be affecting an isolated number of cellars in Twyford and Hensting.

Dry weather in Twyford and Hensting would allow the level to continue to fall but flooding impacts are expected to continue over this period. If heavy rainfall returns, groundwater impacts could become more widespread across the village.

The Environment Agency says it will continue to monitor the forecast. They have advised residents to remain prepared for groundwater impacts this winter and for those who use pumps to help manage water levels, to please ensure they can operate.