Flooding concerns rising in parts of rural Manitoba due to heavier rainfall

WINNIPEG – Spring flooding concerns are rising in some areas of rural Manitoba thanks to heavier than normal rainfall since early April.

That means farmers in some southwestern communities will not be able to seed their usual crops this year.

The province is also planning to use an emergency drainage channel on Lake St. Martin, which is approaching flood stage.

The government says the lake is expected to rise to within one metre of the top of dikes protecting First Nation communities by late June.

The province has also issued a wind warning for the south basin of Lake Winnipeg and the south and southeast shores of Lake Manitoba.

The government says strong winds Thursday could drive up water levels by a metre or two – enough to potentially damage shoreline property.