The Office of Public Works and the ESB are continuing to monitor water levels on the River Shannon after a sharp rise in the levels on the river in the last seven days.
To maintain levels at a safe point and to avoid flooding, the level of water discharge through Parteen and Ardnacrusha was increased by the ESB yesterday.
According to official Office of Public Works figures, water levels on the Shannon south of Athlone have risen 28cm since midnight last Thursday.
Data from the OPW shows that its measuring station just south of Athlone weir recorded a water level of 35.3 metres above Ordnance Datum on midnight Thursday 18 January.
It had risen to 35.6 metres at 7.30pm yesterday, an increase of 30cm in six days.
That level is just 17cm below that which prompted Westmeath County Council to issue a flood alert in 2015.
Several local authorities along the Shannon have already taken precautionary measures in flood prone areas .
In Ballinasloe, flood defences have been activated in two estates - Derrymullen and Slí na hAbhainn - while 3,000 sandbags remain in place in Mountmellick.
There is no imminent threat of flooding but there are fears among residents and the authorities that additional heavy rainfall at this stage over a prolonged period (of two-three days) could lead to flooding.
Athlone Town Council and Westmeath County Council have said the recent abnormally high rainfall in the upper Shannon catchment has caused river levels in Athlone to rise significantly.
At this stage, a number of local roads have been closed for safety reasons and localised wastewater issues have occurred in both urban and rural areas.
No houses have been flooded.
According to the latest forecast, the level of the River Shannon in Athlone may increase by a further 3cm over the next five days.
Such an increase would not make a significant difference in the town or wider area.
Westmeath County Council has said it will continue to keep the situation under review.
