UK rare meeting to cope with flooding

The UK ministers are set to hold a rare Christmas Day meeting to cope with the continuing flooding in the country.

Heavy rain is forecast in parts of Britain. Several flood alerts have already been issued in a number of locations.

The worst flooding is expected in northern England, which has been hard hit over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, up to six inches (15.2 centimeters) of rain is expected in Cumbria, which has already had the wettest December since records began in 1910.

The government has warned that some flooding of homes, businesses and transport systems is possible.