What happened to the river thames in 1953 and what did they build solve problem?

On the night of January 31st, 1953, a powerful North Sea storm surge combined with high spring tides to cause widespread flooding along the east coast of England and the Netherlands. The River Thames, which flows through London, was one of the most severely affected areas.

The storm surge caused the water level in the Thames to rise by more than four metres (13 feet) above normal. This led to extensive flooding in low-lying areas of London, including the historic city centre. More than 30,000 homes and businesses were flooded, and 307 people were killed.

The flooding of the Thames was a major disaster for London. It caused widespread damage to property and infrastructure, and it disrupted business and transportation for several days. The government responded to the disaster by launching a major flood protection programme.

What was built to solve the problem?

The Thames Barrier is a movable flood barrier that was built across the River Thames in London to protect the city from flooding. It is the largest movable flood barrier in the world, and it is considered to be one of the most important pieces of flood defence infrastructure in the United Kingdom.

The Thames Barrier was built between 1974 and 1982. It consists of ten steel gates that can be raised to block the flow of water into the Thames from the North Sea. The gates are normally open, but they can be closed when the water level in the Thames reaches a certain level.

The Thames Barrier has been used to protect London from flooding on a number of occasions since it was built. The most notable of these occasions was in 1991, when a severe storm surge threatened to flood the city. The Thames Barrier was closed, and it successfully prevented the city from being flooded.

The Thames Barrier is a vital piece of infrastructure for London. It helps to protect the city from flooding, and it provides peace of mind to the millions of people who live and work in the capital.