Get the watermelons in and start drinking BEER if water supplies fail in national power outage

Brits should eat watermelons if water supplies fail during a national power outage, crisis planners have said. 

The advice was given in a document leaked to The Sun about Project Yarrow, the Government’s analysis of how we might react to a water shortage or power outage.

The report suggests eating fruit with a high water content in the worst-case scenario.

According to healthcare group Bupa, the most water-rich examples are oranges, apples, tomatoes and blueberries. 

The document also points out that drinking beers is better than not having any liquids at all in the case of a severe water shortage, but notes that you should steer clear of dehydrating spirits such as whisky and vodka.  

Brits should munch on some watermelon if water supplies fail during a national power outage, crisis planners have said

Dr Stuart Galloway of the University of Stirling told MailOnline in June that because beer contains some electrolytes and has a high water content, it can be useful for hydration.

However, he added that any beneficial effect is likely to be lost if you drink more than two pints.

Drinking rainwater is also suggested in the document as a means of staying hydrated during a water shortage.

The National Grid has put a plan in place as severe conditions continue across the UK over the weekend.

There is a yellow warning for ice and snow in Scotland on Saturday, and ice in Wales, and south-west England.

On Sunday the warning for snow will also encompass London and the South East.

Treacherous conditions are causing travel disruption, with a slight chance rural communities could be cut off. 

The document also points out that drinking beers is better than not having any liquids at all in the case of a severe water shortage, but notes that you should steer clear of dehydrating spirits such as whisky and vodka

Manchester Airport briefly closed today due to heavy snow on its runways, with scores of flights affected.

Temperatures are predicted to stay low, reaching -10C in some parts.

The Met Office has finished its weather warning for Northern Ireland, some sporting fixtures being cancelled due to the conditions.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: ‘It is staying cold with daytime temperatures remaining only a few degrees above freezing in many places over the coming days and overnight temperatures dropping to -10C or lower in isolated spots.

‘Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.

‘There is still a risk we could see some freezing fog in places particularly southern England, especially for Sunday and Monday mornings.’