Flooding in some areas of the country might not recede for weeks.

The National Emergency Co-ordination group have warned that the Shannon is still rising which could lead to more flooding in areas near the river.

It comes after the ESB informed Clare County Council of its intention to release waters from Parteen Weir.

The Council says the volume of water planned for release is at a level which is likely to cause flooding of roads, and could also potentially affect property in flood prone locations.

In Cork, the ESB is warning of possible flooding downstream from its hydroelectric dam as it deals with a high level of water in the River Lee.

The company says the weekend of heavy rain is forcing it to release 180 tonnes of water per second from the dam at Inniscara.

As a result, there may be associated flooding of roads, land and property.

One fifth of the country's water drains through the Shannon and it is continuing to rise in the wake of Storm Desmond.

Further heavy rain is expected today and on Wednesday which will bring 15-25 millimetres of rainfall in parts - after 100 millimetres over the weekend.

Bandon in Cork, Tralee and Killarney in Kerry and Crossmolina in Mayo were among the worst hit.

And Sean Hogan, chair of the National Co-Ordination Group, says a number of towns are at increased risk.

"The town of Ballina has been on an edge, Ballinasloe has been affected ... as the Shannon I'm afraid is continuing to rise," he said.

The Office of Public Works say that every effort is being made to reduce flooding in areas currently hit.

Bandon and Crossmolina are among the worst hit - and Liam Basquille from the Office of Public Works says there is a scheme in place to install flood defences in the town.

"There is a programme, we are working very closely on a major capital investment programme," he said,

However he admitted that the work in Bandon won't start until the middle of next year, with the Crossmolina work probably not starting until 2017.