The Government was surprised today t learn that heavy rain is likely to cause flooding.

Prolonged downpours result in rising river levels and torrents of water cascading down hills, astonished officials were told.

Yet, as Britain was hit by more than 200 flood alerts today, a Government spokesman said: “Who could have predicted such a thing?”

Campaigners have been demanding extra money for flood defences for years, but budgets have been slashed, creating havoc in towns and villages across the UK.

One flooding victim said: “Without spending more money, heavy rain will cause flooding as sure as night follows day.

“Only the Government seems surprised by this.”