Police urge people to avoid rivers and steep slopes

Police in East Iceland are urging people to stay away from rivers and steep mountain slopes as rising water levels could trigger rockfalls or landslides, mbl.is reports.

Heavy rain has fallen in the region, though it has eased for now. Forecasters expect precipitation to increase again later in the day. There is no current risk of landslides in built-up areas, police said in a Facebook post.

Sea water could overtop coastal defences and harbour walls where winds blow from the sea, including at the harbours of Djúpivogur, Breiðdalsvík and Stöðvarfjörður. Owners of boats and ships in harbours have been urged to take appropriate precautions.